Did you know that more than 200 million people globally are prescribed one of the statins for heart health? That makes statins one of the most commonly prescribed drugs. But what are they, how do they help, and are there risks? Let’s explore each of those questions.
What are statins?
Statins are prescribed tablets or capsules taken once a day to help lower the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. In conjunction with healthy eating and lifestyle, statins can help reduce the risk of heart attacks drastically.
How do statins work?
When too much LDL cholesterol is in the system, plaque forms in the arteries, causing blockages and narrowing the diameter. Blood can no longer flow freely, causing insufficiencies in the blood needed for the heart and other organs. This may also cause the formation of clots which can travel to the brain, resulting in a stroke.
John Hopkins Medicine explains. “They draw cholesterol out of plaque and stabilize plaque, Johns Hopkins cardiologist Michael Blaha, M.D. says. Plaque is a waxy substance consisting mainly of cholesterol deposits that can build up within the walls of the arteries, interfering with blood flow to and from the heart and leading to heart attack and stroke.
Early on, plaque build-up can be controlled by healthy lifestyle choices, such as switching to a heart-healthy diet, exercising and not smoking. If those efforts are unsuccessful over time, doctors will introduce treatment with statins to benefit the arteries and prevent further damage.”
Are there any side effects to using statins?
“Are statins safe? For most people, the answer is a resounding yes, according to a 2014 Johns Hopkins meta-analysis of 20 years worth of published research. It showed that the risks of long-term use of statin drugs are low and the potential benefits are very high. Researchers combed through hundreds of papers that had studied statins since 1994 to determine the evidence of side effects.
Their review, published in British Medical Journal, found an increase in the risk of muscle aches. There was also a modest risk of elevated blood glucose, which can tip some people into developing type 2 diabetes. What’s unclear is whether those people, who also had other risk factors for diabetes, would have developed the condition anyway. Statins don’t cause memory loss or cataracts, as has been claimed in the past. For most at-risk patients, the benefits far exceed the risks, the researchers concluded. Of course, if you notice any unusual effects after beginning statin therapy, tell your doctor.”, John Hopkins Medicine further explains.
Statins have been proven to help avoid heart attacks or strokes or need stents, angioplasty, or other surgery. Unfortunately, many people either won’t start taking statins or stop using them because they may have heard about these risks. It’s important to note that side effects don’t occur in everyone, and your medical provider is the only one who can determine if they are right for you.
Talk to your provider today if you have concerns. The Mayo Clinic has an excellent Statin Choice Decision Aid checklist to review with your doctor to determine which, if any, statins are right for you.
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