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 16:28

Tukto · 08/04/2024 16:21

I've taken low dose statins for a couple of years. I have a qrisk of 16 but low cholesterol, I'm 66.
I've had zero side effects and while I know it's no guarantee I feel I have taken one small step to reducing my stroke risk.

There were a lot of scare stories about the side effects of stains and some research was done which showed that in the majority of cases the aches and pains reported had other causes.
Of course you can always stop taking them.

Thank you........this is the sort of information I want to give her. All the info from above posters also

OP posts:

Sunnnybunny72 · 08/04/2024 16:31

Her age is the biggest risk factor. Practically everyone of 73 will have a Qrisk over 10% simply by virtue of age. Almost every over 70 year old I see is on them, regardless of BP, cholesterol, family history etc etc.
Even with statins or lifestyle improvement and an improvement in her lipid profile, she will always come out over 10% simply because she is 73.

Superscientist · 08/04/2024 16:34

My father's just started statins and my father-in-law's been on them for years. Both in there 60s. My dad was early 50s when he had a stroke. My FIL has a mutation that causes high cholesterol regardless of diet, as does his mother. His father had 3 heart attacks. My partners other grandfather had a heart attack and died aged 52. Risks of heart attacks and strokes start much earlier than 70!

I work in drug discovery and to be honest there is so much misinformation online you are likely to muddy the situation rather than find any real evidence about whether it is a good idea for your relative to take statins. Go through the NHS page for statins with them. If you can and they are happy with it go along to a GP appointment to ask for clarification and get the facts and considerations that are specific to your relatives and support her that way rather than tangling with Dr Google which i find confusing enough with some professional knowledge

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 16:57

Superscientist · 08/04/2024 16:34

My father's just started statins and my father-in-law's been on them for years. Both in there 60s. My dad was early 50s when he had a stroke. My FIL has a mutation that causes high cholesterol regardless of diet, as does his mother. His father had 3 heart attacks. My partners other grandfather had a heart attack and died aged 52. Risks of heart attacks and strokes start much earlier than 70!

I work in drug discovery and to be honest there is so much misinformation online you are likely to muddy the situation rather than find any real evidence about whether it is a good idea for your relative to take statins. Go through the NHS page for statins with them. If you can and they are happy with it go along to a GP appointment to ask for clarification and get the facts and considerations that are specific to your relatives and support her that way rather than tangling with Dr Google which i find confusing enough with some professional knowledge

Edited

Thank you for your good advice. I am going to tell her I will go with her. I did look on Google first - that made me decide to come on here and ask real people. I'm glad I did and grateful for advice from everyone.

OP posts:

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 17:00

Sunnnybunny72 · 08/04/2024 16:31

Her age is the biggest risk factor. Practically everyone of 73 will have a Qrisk over 10% simply by virtue of age. Almost every over 70 year old I see is on them, regardless of BP, cholesterol, family history etc etc.
Even with statins or lifestyle improvement and an improvement in her lipid profile, she will always come out over 10% simply because she is 73.

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense...a really good point to put to her to think about as well,

OP posts:

Lifeinlists · 08/04/2024 17:07

CulturalNomad · 08/04/2024 16:26

If there's any family history of heart disease, that goes straight to the top of the list of reasons to take them

There's family history on my father's side, which made me a fanatic about leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. Quality diet, healthy weight, exercise....I took it all very seriously.

So there I was in my late 50's, very healthy, no evidence of heart disease. What I did have was a family member who is a cardiologist and he strongly recommended a calcium scan.

Well that was an eye-opener! Evidence right there in black and white that there were already deposits in my arteries. So statins it is (I've had zero side effects).

Sometimes we're dealt a crappy genetic hand. "Lifestyle" is important but can't always protect you.

Yes, there was nothing that concentrated my mind more than lying in a cath lab with a cardiologist showing me a recording (just taken) of my completely blocked left main artery!

'Crappy genetic hand' was indeed a factor and statins are an amazing step forward for anyone at risk. Only wish I'd been on them earlier

Seymour5 · 08/04/2024 17:15

Coldupnorth87 · 08/04/2024 14:23

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

Thank you for mentioning this condition. It runs in DH’s family. Early deaths, early heart attacks and peripheral vascular disease. Statins are a saviour for people whose cholesterol can’t be controlled by diet/exercise. It can take time to find the right type, due to some of the side effects.

olderbutwiser · 08/04/2024 17:27

It's always your choice whether you take medication or not. And if you do choose to take one you can stop at any time.

She's been offered it because her risk of heart attack/stroke is double that of someone else her age, and statins have been proven to reduce that risk.

Some people do suffer joint pain on some statins, but there are different brands available if one causes a problem. (The first one DH had did trigger inflammation, he switched to a different one and a lower dose and is absolutely fine on them. And his cholesterol is now well under control).

What is she worried about?

yikesanotherbooboo · 08/04/2024 17:38

Side effects are not common and statins are very safe and effective.

midgetastic · 08/04/2024 18:13

I know three people very close to me who have been given statins and no longer take them

I am aware of a couple of Others who have managed after trying serveral types to keep going

That's seems quite a high side effect rate

Of those who desisted -
Hair loss, tiredness, muscle weakness and pain, cramps

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 18:24

olderbutwiser · 08/04/2024 17:27

It's always your choice whether you take medication or not. And if you do choose to take one you can stop at any time.

She's been offered it because her risk of heart attack/stroke is double that of someone else her age, and statins have been proven to reduce that risk.

Some people do suffer joint pain on some statins, but there are different brands available if one causes a problem. (The first one DH had did trigger inflammation, he switched to a different one and a lower dose and is absolutely fine on them. And his cholesterol is now well under control).

What is she worried about?

It was me that was worried, not my aunt.

OP posts:

Original poster

CheeryFish · 08/04/2024 18:31

midgetastic · 08/04/2024 18:13

I know three people very close to me who have been given statins and no longer take them

I am aware of a couple of Others who have managed after trying serveral types to keep going

That's seems quite a high side effect rate

Of those who desisted -
Hair loss, tiredness, muscle weakness and pain, cramps

It was the fact you can choose [normally you just get prescribed medication.] That is what made me want to look into it a lot more.

She spends a lot of time abroad and I would hate it to affect her quality of life.

OP posts: