Page 2 | Advise on using statins medication

CheeryFish · 2024-04-08T13:07:51+00:00

My aunt has been told she would benefit from going on statins after having a blood test. I have been looking on Google as she asked if I could find out any information on them [she doesn't go on any social media]. What I have been looking at isn't something I would like to take...or feel she would. I have only put a small amount of info in case this does not receive any response. I don't want to give her any bad advice and feel I should just tell her to speak with the doctor. But feel first I would dearly like to know what anyone who takes them think. She is a young 73 and is slim everything else has come up normal/good ie blood pressure/ urine/kidney/liver apart from cholesterol. Hopefully will get some advice.

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 14:46

someoneanyoneeveryone · 08/04/2024 14:36

It is my understanding that this is the risk of having a cardiovascular event in the next 10years. Anything above 10% the GP should be giving you the choice of benefits vs risks (trying to prevent heart attacks strokes vs side effects most commonly of muscle aches and having to take a medication every night for rest of your life). Usually lifestyle modification is first line but you state she lives healthily so is it just her bloods that have pushed her risk profile up?

that risk would be very high to some and not so bothered to others so it very much depends on the person’s way of living/ risk assessment.

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Thank you for that ....she is a vegetarian and I would think eats far too much seafood

OP posts:

someoneanyoneeveryone · 08/04/2024 14:36

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 14:25

Ihave just rang her and the QRISK is 29.46%.

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It is my understanding that this is the risk of having a cardiovascular event in the next 10years. Anything above 10% the GP should be giving you the choice of benefits vs risks (trying to prevent heart attacks strokes vs side effects most commonly of muscle aches and having to take a medication every night for rest of your life). Usually lifestyle modification is first line but you state she lives healthily so is it just her bloods that have pushed her risk profile up?

that risk would be very high to some and not so bothered to others so it very much depends on the person’s way of living/ risk assessment.

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 14:34

ApiratesaysYarrr · 08/04/2024 14:10

This patient decision aid might help her decide. It's all about risk reduction, ther are no guarantees. She could take the statin and still have a heart attack stroke, or she could not take it and never have one (but this is true of all medicines, it's always a decision about the risks and benefits)

This is what I had read about the ten years info......It being her choice is what alarmed me about it.

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Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 14:31

Coldupnorth87 · 08/04/2024 14:20

Been on statins for years now. I'm considerably younger but higher risk.

It all depends on her risk profile and whether she wants to take them.

You can give her the information but it wouldn't be ethical to advise, as you're not qualified (unless you are!).

No I am not qualified but don't want to give her any bad advise

OP posts:

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 14:29

Coldupnorth87 · 08/04/2024 14:23

And if there is a history of familial hypercholesterolemia, Qrisk isn't the appropriate tool...

As far as I know, no one else suffers from it.....or ever needed statins.

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Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 14:28

TrentCrimmIsHot · 08/04/2024 14:17

Personally I wouldn't take statins if I only had a mild-moderately raised cholesterol level and no other risk factors. You could Google Qrisk3 and put her info and you get a % risk of heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years.

I don't think she will be happy of the side effects......her reason for all the checks was because she feels so tired all the time.

OP posts:

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 14:25

gamerchick · 08/04/2024 14:13

What exactly is her cholesterol?

Ihave just rang her and the QRISK is 29.46%.

OP posts:

Coldupnorth87 · 08/04/2024 14:23

And if there is a history of familial hypercholesterolemia, Qrisk isn't the appropriate tool...

Coldupnorth87 · 08/04/2024 14:20

Been on statins for years now. I'm considerably younger but higher risk.

It all depends on her risk profile and whether she wants to take them.

You can give her the information but it wouldn't be ethical to advise, as you're not qualified (unless you are!).

TrentCrimmIsHot · 08/04/2024 14:17

Personally I wouldn't take statins if I only had a mild-moderately raised cholesterol level and no other risk factors. You could Google Qrisk3 and put her info and you get a % risk of heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years.

gamerchick · 08/04/2024 14:13

What exactly is her cholesterol?

ApiratesaysYarrr · 08/04/2024 14:10

This patient decision aid might help her decide. It's all about risk reduction, ther are no guarantees. She could take the statin and still have a heart attack stroke, or she could not take it and never have one (but this is true of all medicines, it's always a decision about the risks and benefits)

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng238/resources/patient-decision-aid-on-should-i-take-a-statin-pdf-243780159