Cholesterol

[_Paul]

Hello all,

Following a recent blood test, I've received a message from my GP saying my cholesterol is a bit high and advising lifestyle changes and offering statins. I'm currently researching statins trying to make an informed decision. I read that they are advised for CVD. I have a leaking Mitral valve and can't find advice on that or whether that should influence my decision.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Paul

[NotanAstronaut]

I am a retired GP. Statins reduce the chance of a heart attack or stroke by a third if you take them consistently for ten years. The side effects with atorvastatin are minimal whatever scaremongering you’ve heard. Ask your doc what your risk calculation is now. He/ she can only tell you, if you do not have coronary heart disease already otherwise the risk calculation is not valid. Valvular disease, such as mitral valve leaking, is not coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease relates to furring up of the small arteries that supply the muscles of the heart itself.

Statins have no impact on valvular heart disease. If the coronary arteries are somewhat furred up by cholesterol, then taking a statin, should enable the heart muscle to pump more efficiently in time, when the cholesterol deposits shrink, and this could reduce the impact of mild valvular disease.

[_Paul in reply to NotanAstronaut]

Thanks NotanAstronaut. My GP did give me a QRisk score of 11.7. Thank you for clarifying what CHD is for me. It sounds like taking a statin has good benefits and over time could potentially help my valve a small amount.