Five Myths About Statins 💊
We recently talked about the need to control cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of fatal conditions like heart attacks.
A healthy lifestyle helps with this at first, but if it doesn't cope, medications like statins are needed. But there are many myths surrounding them. Because of this, people refuse to take the drugs. But in vain.
We debunked the myths about statins so that you can convince your loved ones to take the medication ❤️
Myth #1: The liver is destroyed
After starting statins, an increase in liver enzymes-transaminases in the blood may indeed appear in 0.5–3.0% of cases. In most cases, this phenomenon passes within the first three months and does not harm the liver.
Also, patients taking statins are no more likely to develop liver failure than other people. And in a study of 1,198 cases of acute liver failure collected by researchers, only six were related to statins (0.5%), and two of them were caused by cervistatin, which was withdrawn from the market due to another side effect.
Research into the effect of statins on patients already suffering from liver disease is also actively developing. For example, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases says that the hepatotoxicity of drugs is overestimated and treatment is safe even with compensated cirrhosis.
Fear #2: Muscles ache
Indeed, some people may be concerned about discomfort in muscles and joints that occurs against the background of taking medications. Due to this, about 60% of patients may discontinue the drug.
But a 2021 meta-analysis concluded that these complaints are not associated with damage to muscle tissue, but are caused by other non-specific reasons, including the nocebo effect.
The occurrence of rhabdomyolysis — muscle destruction — is estimated by researchers as an extremely rare complication of taking statins.
Myth #3: Cataracts occur
At the moment, there is no consensus on this matter. In a 2017 meta-analysis, researchers conclude that there is no link between statin use and cataracts.
And already in 2018, on the contrary, they confirm the presence of a risk of developing cataracts while taking drugs. However, they mention that even if there is a risk, the benefits of statins far outweigh it.
Including uncontrolled cholesterol levels lead to atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the eyes and visual impairment.
Myth #4: Diabetes develops
According to studies, statins do cause a slight increase in glycemia and a moderate increase in new cases of diabetes.
But it is important to understand that high cholesterol is often accompanied by excess weight, which is also a risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus, and in this situation it is difficult to understand what is primarily the cause of the disease.
The appointment of statins significantly reduces cardiovascular risks in patients with diabetes and is strictly recommended for them
Myth #5: Memory deteriorates
Although a decrease in cognitive functions is indicated in the instructions for statins as a possible side effect, large randomized studies have not confirmed this.
Bonus 🎁 Statins save not only blood vessels:
They significantly reduced blood transaminases in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Reduced the risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma and other types of liver cancer.
Slowed the rate of progression of liver fibrosis.
Increased sustained virologic response to hepatitis C treatment by 31%, and also reduced the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma by 55%, the risk of cirrhosis by 53%, and the risk of mortality by 44%.
Statins literally prolong life, and their side effects are exaggerated. The main thing is to take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor ❤️
