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There seems to be a growing fear of statin drugs—the wonder drugs that lower cholesterol and prevent heart attacks. That’s a little like fearing apple pie, Mom and the American way of life.
Atherosclerosis, the medical name for hardening of the arteries, is by far the leading cause of death, disease and disability in the entire developed world—and among our benefit plan participants.
The good news is we can probably prevent up to 95% of heart attacks, 85% of strokes and most of the other horrendous complications caused by atherosclerosis—but only if people take the treatment!
Statin drugs (like Crestor, Simvastatin or Lipitor) are the major component of the treatment of atherosclerosis and are literally lifesaving for countless Americans who are at risk of all the terrible consequences of uncontrolled atherosclerosis.
Refusing statins is a bit like jumping out of an airplane, but refusing a parachute, hoping you’ll land on a soft haystack. Good luck with that.
Statins are among the safest drugs we have. They have saved probably millions of lives—and only a small number of people have had any serious harm from them.
Think about this example. Suppose there was a drug that killed 30,000 people a year—most people would never take that drug. The name of the drug? Your automobile! 30,000 Americans die in car accidents each year. Do you know anyone who has given up driving because walking is safer? (On the other hand, at least we’d get some exercise!) Statins are much, much safer than automobiles!
Almost all (99.997%) people who take statins do NOT experience the one serious side effect, Rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle fibers that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. (Myoglobin is harmful to the kidney and often causes kidney damage.) That that risk can be reduced even more by the proper use of statins. Almost no statin users experience any significant problems with their kidneys, liver or memory, and fatalities are extremely rare. About 96% of statin users get no achiness, and those who do can usually find a way to minimize or eliminate it. Your doctor can help you figure out if you are having a side effect.
Refusing statins when they are needed is like fearing tiny mice (the side effects) while ignoring the lion (atherosclerosis) coming to eat you.
Unfortunately, there has been some pretty awful reporting in the media, misinformation on the Internet, and just plain rumors about statins. Please do not believe everything you hear on the news, in newspapers, on the Internet or from well-meaning friends. Your health is far too valuable to trust to such uncertain sources. Trust science, not reporters and rumors.
Also, we all tend to jump to conclusions. Many people on statins who get a bit of an ache or pain that ordinarily they would not think twice about (maybe it’s just a sprain or a little arthritis) immediately assume it is due to the statin they are taking. Statins do not cause that kind of discomfort. If you are on a statin, you are still prone to all the usual daily aches and pains. Statins are wonder drugs—but they’re not miracle drugs!
You should take a statin only when you truly need it, which a good doctor can help you decide. But if you do need it, refusing it could be a fatal mistake.
February 2012
Fearing the Mouse and Ignoring the Lion: Using Treatments Safely (January 2012)
How to Become a Non-Smoker—Again (December 2011)
Antibiotics and Colds (November 2011)
Beware a Brain Attack (October 2011)
To ER or not to ER (Connect to Health Newsletter, Fall 2011) (PDF)
How to be an "Activated Patient" (Connect to Health Newsletter, Summer 2011) (PDF)
Welcome Message from Dr. Makover (Connect to Health Newsletter, Summer 2011) (PDF)
