Contributed by Tannaz Farahani, PharmD, MPH
While the best way to lower cholesterol and reduce risk for heart attack and stroke significantly is through diet and exercise, statins can be used as the next best option for treatment. Statins are extremely effective at reducing the risk of cardiac disease and cardiac events including heart attack and stroke. With all the benefits associated with this class of medications, there still seems to be a lot of hesitation and stigma associated with taking statins. The following are some common misconceptions:
Myth #1:
Statins can have a lot of side effects, including muscle pain, digestive problems, and liver damage.
REALITY:
Patients who take statins are often told by their doctors to watch and report back if they have muscle problems, which appear in about five percent of patients. When patients complain of muscle problems they are often stopped or switched to a different medication within the same class. Some patients will do better taking statins every other day, or at a lower dose.
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) are among the best tolerated statins and have the largest LDL-lowering effect and best safety profile.
Liver issues are another reported side effect of statins. This problem occurs in patients who already have fatty liver, a metabolic disorder that causes fat buildup in the liver. Rarely do patients get earlier, mild liver inflammation from statins.
Patients and their doctor may experience some trial and error before finding the statin that works best for them and their overall health. With a little patience, doctors will most likely be able to find a medication within the same class that gives the patient minimal side effects, all while protecting them from heart disease and serious cardiac events.
Myth #2:
Statins cause diabetes.
REALITY:
Statins can increase the risk of developing diabetes by about 30 percent in people already at risk for the disease, or who have prediabetes, according to a 2017 study in a British medical journal.
People with normal blood sugar do not develop diabetes because you put them on a statin. The people who are impacted were likely going to become diabetic anyway. Diabetes is not prevented by choosing not to take statins.
Myth #3:
Statins cause dementia, or cognitive dysfunction.
REALITY:
There have been many studies on the use of statin medications to prevent heart attacks that have shown that they do not cause cognitive problems, including dementia. In fact, they have been shown to prevent dementia with long-term use.
In a study reported in Scientific Reports in 2018, researchers found that statin users without baseline cognitive problems had between a 15 to 26 percent reduced risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive dysfunction.
All in all, Statins are considered safe and have had a proven track record in reducing risk of heart disease and stroke.
Are Statins Right For You?
If you are living with high cholesterol, talk to your doctor to find out if statins are right for you. Our concierge team is part of your healthcare team and is here to help you find ways to manage your medication routine, help you schedule an appointment with your doctor, and more. Contact the ACN concierge by calling 602.406.7226 or emailing members@azcarenetwork.org.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021
