Statins

[irc]

I recall there was a thread recently about the benefits/rewards/side effects of statins.

I came across a blog by a doctor who is of the opinion that the benefits in terms of extra days life are pretty minimal. Also states in his blog in various posts that there is a bit of a settled science consensus midset in medical circles meaning that any alternative views on the effectiveness of statins and the need to prescribe them to vast numbers are severely discouraged.

Worth read for anyone on statins perhaps.

The main take away message I believe, is the following. Statins do not prevent fatal heart attacks and strokes. They can only delay them. They delay them by about one or two days per year of treatment. For those who have read my books you will know that I have regularly suggested we get rid of the concept of ‘preventative medicine’. We need to replace it with the concept of ‘delayative medicine’.

You cannot stop people dying. You can only make them live longer. How much longer is the key question. With statins this question has been answered. You can, to be generous, add a maximum of two days per year to life expectancy.

Which means that if you were to take a statin for thirty years you could expect to live about two months longer. (Possibly three, more likely one). Assuming, and this is a big assumption, that none of the trials done have been in any way biased towards statins.

And by the author in the comments ...

If you can extend life, and improve quality of life, that is best. But I have yet to see any evidence that statins improve the quality of anyone’s life. On the other hand, I have met many people who’s lives have been ruined by taking statins.

http://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2015/10/27 ... -a-statin/

[AJ101]

A friend of mine, in his mid 40s has been put on statins and told if he eats grapefruit that it could kill him. Whether it's true or not I don't know, but that's his takeaway advice. He still eats junk though, they never mentioned that the gross overweight and T2D will be doing him massive massive harm. Mind you, at least he'll get a couple of extra days life from the Statin that now makes him anxious around fruit salad.

[mjr]

One or two of the statins interact with grapefruit but not all. It's always hard to know what others have been told in private medical consultations, but the guidelines say people should be advised to eat better and exercise properly before being prescribed statins.

I think it's probably fair to say Dr Kendrick is an anti, rather than a sceptic, so probably should be read as warily as the ones who claim statins have no drawbacks.

[Mark1978]

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=97373

[irc]

It's always hard to know what others have been told in private medical consultations, but the guidelines say people should be advised to eat better and exercise properly before being prescribed statins.

I think it's probably fair to say Dr Kendrick is an anti, rather than a sceptic, so probably should be read as warily as the ones who claim statins have no drawbacks.

I was working with a GP the other day and asked him his view on statins. He said it's all down to risk factors. As a gross simplification he wouldn't prescribe them for a farmer who was out and about and active all day and relatively normal weight. Even if the farmer was eating fried breakfasts every day. If the farmer handed his farm on to his son aged 70 and was no longer physically active then he might, depending on other factors, lifestyle, family history etc etc. He would always suggest lifestyle changes - more activity etc first.

He was not of the opinion that they are appropriate for mass medication as some reports have suggested i.e.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... daily.html

But enough of this internet thingy I'm off out with the dog for a run!

[Mick F]

................ He said it's all down to risk factors. As a gross simplification he wouldn't prescribe them for a farmer who was out and about and active all day and relatively normal weight. Even if the farmer was eating fried breakfasts every day.

Basically, this is me, though I'm not a farmer.

The cardiologist chappy said as much ............. but he would recommend that you need to remove as many risk-factors as you can. Consequently, I'm on a small dose.

See my (long) thread:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=97373