Are Statins Right for You? 5 Things to Know.
Why Your Doctor May Prescribe Them, Possible Side Effects, and More Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Statins are proven to be the most effective drug used to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can cause heart disease and life-threatening cardiac events such as heart attack or stroke. Statin therapy can lower your LDL cholesterol by as much as 25 to 55 percent, so many doctors…
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Statins are proven to be the most effective drug used to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can cause heart disease and life-threatening cardiac events such as heart attack or stroke. Statin therapy can lower your LDL cholesterol by as much as 25 to 55 percent, so many doctors prescribe them to help patients get their cholesterol under control.
1 . Why Statins are Prescribed
If you have a history of high LDL (bad) cholesterol, heart disease, heart attack, or stroke, it is very likely that your doctor will recommend you take statins. Dr. Robert Rosenson and Dr. Christopher Cannon shared that health care providers typically recommend high-dose statin therapy for anyone with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (including people who have coronary heart disease or have had a heart attack / stroke).
According to the American Diabetes Association, individuals with diabetes who are age 40-75 and are not allergic to statins are also recommended to take statins, even if they have normal cholesterol levels.
Your doctor will help you identify the best treatment options for you. Some doctors recommend 6 months of lifestyle changes before prescribing statins to see how your cholesterol improves.
2 . Types of Statins
There are several different types of statins, including:
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
| Atorvastatin | Lipitor |
| Fluvastatin | Lescol, Lescol XL |
| Lovastatin | Mevacor, Altoprev |
| Pitavastatin | Livalo |
| Pravastatin | Pravachol |
| Rosuvastatin | Crestor |
| Simvastatin | Zocor |
Your doctor will know the specific statin brand that is right for you.
3 . Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects include:
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Flushing of the skin
- Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal cramping or pain
- Bloating or gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Rash
- Low levels of blood platelets
If you are experiencing negative side effects that are preventing you from living your day-to-day life, seek your doctor’s advice.
4 . What You Should Know When Taking a Statin
It is important to look at the instructions for use when you pick up your medication because some statins are more effective when taken at night, while others are more effective taken with a meal.
Along with time of day, people who take lovastatin, simvastatin, or atorvastatin should not consume more than ½ of a grapefruit or 8 ounces of grapefruit juice per day. Grapefruit juice has a chemical that has been known to change the way your body breaks down statins.
There are also several medications that can have negative interactions with statins, so make sure your doctor is aware of all over the counter or prescription medications, along with herbal supplements or vitamins you are taking before starting any form of statin therapy.
5 . Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Are statins right for me?
- Which statin is best for me and why?
- Are there any negative side effects that may affect me more than others?
- What else should I be doing to manage my cholesterol and avoid having a future cardiovascular event?
Sources:
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-cholesterol-and-lipid-treatment-options-beyond-the-basics/print?search=statins&topicRef=4564&source=see_link
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm#:~:text=Heart%20disease%20is%20the%20leading,1%20in%20every%204%20deaths.
https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/side-effects-of-statin-drugs