Important information about statins that I’m going to ask my doc about

I would like to start a discussion about all of the positive effects of statins.
They definitely prevent major cardiac events in those of us who are aging.
Aortic atherosclerosis and aneurysmal dilation are definitely strong indications to be on statin. They help our carotids and other arteries in our
bodies. They are anti inflammatory for those of us with systemic rheumatic
Inflammation. Good for the heart and our brain function as well. Likely
forestall dementia. Ask your middle age primary doc or cardiologist which statin they are on. I resisted for years with borderline lipids, I got educated
when psoriatic arthritis and PMR added on my risk profile. So far good in
late 70s.

You may find this interesting. A few years ago i heard an MD talking about how he health was failing and suddenly developed Diabetes... All his MD buddies found no answer... finally the sick doctor turned to the book of Leviticus. There were the diet instructions from our creator..like the owners manual for a new car . ...i also searched the dietary instructions in Leviticus.... abstained pork and sea food bottom feeders....only fish with scaled....my cholesterol dropped 92 points in a year. No statins ....hay we should cooperate with our creator.

I’m on 10mg of Rosuvastatin once a day. My GP put me on it a few years ago. My cardiologist agreed. I didn’t question it.
Recently, I’ve heard so much negative press about statins that I am questioning whether to continue taking it. One person- not a medical professional- told me that statins “rot your brain.”
I have not experienced any negative effects. I realize that I could have long term side effects that aren’t obvious.
Recently, I asked my GP if I could cease taking the statin. She said,”No.” she also said that I am on a low dose.
Still, now I have statin anxiety.
I’m 72, still cheerfully work full time, and have no family history to guide me.

Welcome to Mayo Connect. Whether or not to take statins to lower cholesterol levels is a complex and highly personal question.

I resisted for years, arguing that I had reached age 65 without any evidence of the heart and artery diseases that plague my family. I reluctantly tried a couple of statins then on the advice of a cardiologist and found then intolerable so I turned to diet and exercise. Suddenly at age 70, my Cholesterol and LDL levels began an upward trend anyway, so again I agreed to try statins - 2 different ones caused severe symptoms, no matter how low the dose.

This September a sharp Nurse Practitioner spotted an irregularity in a routine ECG that led to the ER, testing, and diagnosis of a heart blockage. Shortness of breath, chest tightness and low energy I had been attributing to my lung diseases were diagnosed as angina! Now I am taking Repatha as well as two heart medications. My Lipid panel looks great, the pain is gone - we shall see if this is enough to avoid having stents placed.

My takeaway? If your numbers are high and your thyroid doesn't function perfectly (mine does not) consider having a cardiologist take a look at your total risk profile. I might have avoided the plaque that has buikt up in my arteries if I had only listened 12 -15 years ago.

It was my stem cell transplant doctor who mentioned decreasing statins in passing when sh was reviewing my meds. We had more important issues to focus on during the appointment and I didn’t ask her any follow up questions. She is always focused on decreasing my meds when I don’t have any signs of GVHD. I will have my yearly appointment with my family doctor in the beginning of the year and will discuss statins with him.

I don’t remember what my cholesterol numbers were last time it was checked. My usual blood work panel for hematology doesn’t include cholesterol levels.