Taking Statins? Why They Might Do More Harm Than Good

Like about 36 million other adults in the United States, my husband takes statins. These drugs-Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor being the most common-are supposed to help people with high cholesterol by lowering the levels in the blood. These drugs have been very effective toward this end, but what about people who don't have high cholesterol to begin with? My husband has a heart condition, so he takes them as a precautionary measure. But what about people who aren't at risk, but want to make sure they stay that way? Are statins the best way to go, or would it be better to reduce cholesterol 'the old-fashioned way'?

Just so we're clear, I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't take statins if your doctor has prescribed them. After all, he wouldn't have prescribed them if he didn't think you needed them. I'm just saying that they aren't without their risks and that perhaps there are other ways to maintain a healthy cholesterol level.

One problem commonly associated with statin use is complacency. This isn't the fault of the drug companies, but many people take these drugs thinking that they are a 'cure-all' measure. I've heard it said, “I'm on cholesterol medication, it'll be okay” before taking a bite of pepperoni pizza or fried chicken. This is the wrong attitude to have, because the drugs don't 'take it all away' so you can do whatever you want. You still need to work with your doctor to find and stay on a good diet and exercise regimen.

In fact, the same is true for those 'weight loss' pills you hear about on TV-they might not tell you this in the ad, but you can't just swallow a pill and lose a lot of weight. Well, not healthily, anyway. There is no 'magic pill' that can make everything better on its own. Drugs can help, but you still have to do your part too.

Another thing you always have to think about when taking medication is the possible side effects. Often, drugs will have effects on other parts of the body that are easily mistaken for separate illnesses. For instance, it isn't entirely uncommon for someone on statins to have cognitive or psychiatric problems as a result of the medicine. This is because cholesterol doesn't just reside in the arteries; it is also present in the brain. It helps neurotransmitters that control things such as mood and memory, and anything that alters the cholesterol can also alter these things. In addition to issues with the brain, statins can also cause muscle pain, headaches and abdominal pain. Some studies have also shown that statin users are at an increased risk for diabetes, kidney failure and cataracts. Since people with diabetes are two to four times as likely to have heart disease than people without diabetes, you have to wonder if the negative effects could cancel out the positive ones.

As you can see, statins aren't the 'magic pill' some people seem to think they are. Of course, only your doctor can decide if they are right for you. At least now you have an idea of what you can ask your doctor about the next time you get your cholesterol checked.