Statins

[Grrrpredictivetex]

My gp has phoned me to say my recent blood tests showed my cholesterol is 6.7. They did a calculation and want to stop me having problems later on. They've suggested I think about going on statins. Might just be me but only hear bad things about them. Has anybody who may have tried them or are on them got any advice?
I really hope I can turn this around myself, but will need to rethink my headspace.

I've been on them for nearly twenty years and haven't had any issues at all. My dad had some muscular leg pain when he started taking them so his prescription was changed to a different drug and he's had no further problems.

I went on a statin after a mild stroke 2 years ago. The first one was giving me severe muscle pain and my GP put me on a different one. (Simvastatin). I haven't had any problems with it. I don't remember which one I took originally.

I am in the same boat as you op, just 4 weeks ago had tests back..9.3.

I was shocked as the last 2 years I have tried everything to get my cholesterol down, change of diet, fish tabs, plant sterols brought it down a little. But its now been decided statins are the best way for my hereditary high levels.

Before the 2 years I was put on statins for a month, it was awful, very bad muscular pain, nosebleeds feeling really tired. Thats why I tried alternative's, but I cannot remember the other ones that made me ill, the ones I am on now are called Atrovastatin, and thankfully have had no problems.

@VaVaVoombangabang sorry to hear that. It is a worry and whilst I'm not at danger level just yet they do a predictive guess how it will rise. I'm not the most active of people so maybe I need to up my game.
I'm sure there at tweaks in my food I can make, but not a heavy drinker or smoker whilst my husband is and his is fine. I guess genetics play a big part.

Thank you all for the replies.

I've been on statins as a preventative thing for around 10 years, and never had any issues at all.

My dad thinks they're pointless (for him) but has faithfully taken them to keep his doctor happy for almost 15 years. No side effects at all.

My doc keeps wanting to put me on statins. They can exacerbate aches and pains, and I already suffer due to menopause, so keep refusing. I have brought my cholesterol down through better diet and will keep doing that, not a fan of statins - doctors are too quick to prescribe them in my view.

I have read so much about the dam things, now its the only thing I have not tried. I am still sceptical about the medication and do think some are prescribed to quickly a reason why I have tried my hardest to resist taking them, but the number has to come down!

I dont smoke never have, yes I drink alcohol but not in excessive way, I am not overweight, I am very active no other medical problems, just genetic thats what 2 doctors are now putting it down to.

I even did the blood tests every few weeks, only changed slightly. So I have to see if taking statins will help at all.

Been on them since my heart attack in 2019. No side effects and no further heart attacks.

so that’s good!

The media love to cause drama about anything, based on the flimsiest of info, and then people think themselves into side effects half the time. There’s also different ones, so you’ll find one that suits you.

My cholesterol was the same, 6.7, I am overweight with a family history of heart disease so I was put on statins about 18 months ago. My cholesterol has been consistently 3.4 or so ever since and my Dr is now reducing my dose accordingly. I have had no issues at all.

Been on them 3 years never had any issues at all. My DH tried three different ones before he found one he could tolerate.

I think

I've been on Lipitor for a month with no side effects at all. It's a starter dose so I don't k le if that will change when if/when I need to increase the dose. But it's been absolutely fine so far.

Early 50s, been on them for a bit over 5 years, high dose, no side effects that I have noticed, although I am aware that some people do get side effects.

I wish I had started them in my 30s and 40s when doc told me my cholesterol was high: had a stent in my 40s and I will probably end up needing bypass surgery at some point. Statins earlier might have avoided all of that. Coronary artery disease runs in the family, and apparently high cholesterol is genetic so at the moment there is not another way to keep it down.

partner takes them so far no problem. You can see how you go on them, have a review etc.

I'm on them. No side effects. Dr is happy with latest bloods. Perimenopausal, no aches or pains except a stiff shoulder from having slept in a bad position.

It is important to do all the regular stuff like healthy diet and exercise and good sleep, but I've had high cholesterol since my 20s (way higher than 6.7) and none of it makes that much difference except the meds, but a better diet and exercise are good for other stuff too.

They will probably start you with something like Lipitor (Atorvastatin), because it's cheaper, but if you do have side-effects, there are other options. And you won't know till you try, because each of us is different.

Also, statins help stabilise any arterial plaques already there. Heart attacks after often caused by a flake of plaque coming off and then our blood rushes in to make a clot (to heal the rip in the plaque!) the liquid cholesterol that seeps out of the crack contains a chemical that puts our clotting stuff into overdrive.

so definitely worth taking them

6.7 isn't that high. Try lifestyle changes first so low fat diet, bit of exercise etc.

As long as you have a normal BP, aren't obese and don't have a history's of cvd there's no rush. Put your info into this for an approx risk qrisk.org/three/

I got mine down from 6 to 4 in a year just by walking 10k steps a day and swapping to a low fat diet.

@JaniieJones I think they did a prediction as had gone up since last bloods, feel it's more precautionary at this moment. It's probably a kick up the backside for me. I forget I'm 65 and need to eat more healthily.
Thanks everyone.

Mine was 7.3 recently...hoping that with the low dose statins and dietary changes it will be much lower next time! I've already lost some weight and that's a minor miracle all on its own.