Posted on 11/15/2016 11:54:51 AM PST by nickcarraway
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Sunday issued new guidance for the use of cholesterol-busting statin drugs. The report greatly expands the universe of people who should be screened to see if they need the medication to everyone over age 40 regardless of whether they have a history of cardiovascular disease.
The recommendations also support the position of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, which in 2013 radically shifted their advice from suggesting that doctors focus on the level of a patients low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol to looking at a more comprehensive picture of risk based on things such as weight and blood pressure, as well as lifestyle factors.
People with no signs, symptoms, or history of cardiovascular disease can still be at risk for having a heart attack or stroke, said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, who chairs the task force.
[Could these new cholesterol drugs save many people from heart attacks?]
The task force, which is made up of independent experts but commissioned by the government, concurred after a comprehensive review of the evidence on the topic determined that a broader evaluation of risk is needed. But it puts a greater emphasis on age than the ACC and AHA did in determining who might benefit from the medication in preventing heart attack or stroke. It is also slightly more conservative when it comes to determining the benefits of taking the medications, which include Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor.
The new guidelines, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that people ages 40 to 75 who have one or more risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking that put them at a 10 percent or greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Maybe then the rest of us will think about using them.
Q: Who the heck has a name like ‘Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo’?
A: Somebody who invests heavily in statin-producing pharmaceutical companies.
I am a doctor. If I can sit down with a person for a half hour with their numbers I can explain things but to try to unburden a crowd of their many misconceptions simultaneously just ain’t possible.
I was 52 with a cholesterol of 190 when I had chest pains and was diagnosed with a 95% blockage of my left anterior descending coronary artery.
I’m on statins and my cholesterol is now under 150. I doubt it will make any difference in plaque buildup in my arteries, but I do as I’m told.
My doctor has me on statins. Why, I’ll never know. My total cholesterol is 87. The human body needs cholesterol to heal and make regulating compounds, like steroids for pain, vitamin D for bone and teeth development; even testosterone.
My cholesterol is so low that if I get a paper cut and don’t go off the meds, it will take 2 or 3 months to heal.
High cholesterol is an invented disease for a problem that emerged when health professionals learned how to measure cholesterol levels in the blood.
I think there’s more to this than mentioned.
Cholesterol has been downgraded as a cause of heart disease, in fact a couple of major studies have found it’s not relevant. The need for statins therefore has become questionable.
Now you’re seeing that statins are suddenly being pushed as a method to lower the risks from high blood pressure, lifestyle, etc. Suddenly it’s not cholesterol anymore, statins are cure all for all manner of things.
Very convenient that this study comes out when cholesterol is no longer seen as the threat it was. Drug companies are desperate to preserve sales (statins are a cash cow).
Imo, this is a money grab by the pharms so they can get on the gravy train similar that of the ED drug price fiasco. Besides which, the field testing is faulty. My reading tells me that the test groups are not representative of the main target population. (..not a doctor)
“This is ridiculous. Statins are about the worst thing you can take.”
absolutely. pure poison.
There are plenty of others that totally agree with you. Askapatient is your FRiend. Use it everyone. It’s great for identifying side effects, some serious and debilitating.
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20702&name=LIPITOR
FDA is advising consumers and health care professionals that:
Routine monitoring of liver enzymes in the blood, once considered standard procedure for statin users, is no longer needed. Such monitoring has not been found to be effective in predicting or preventing the rare occurrences of serious liver injury associated with statin use.
Cognitive (brain-related) impairment, such as memory loss, forgetfulness and confusion, has been reported by some statin users.
People being treated with statins may have an increased risk of raised blood sugar levels and the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Some medications interact with lovastatin (brand names include Mevacor) and can increase the risk of muscle damage.
More here:http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm293330.htm
My wife’s doctor just did what you said.
If it’s Kentucky Bourbon...I’m OK with it.
Most MD’s are in cahoots with the pharmas so this comes as no surprise.
I prefer natural methods to conquer a condition.
I refuse to get a flu shot!
I avoid doctors big time.
Pill pushers!
Anyone considering following this “advice” should read Cholesterol Myths by Dr. Uffe Ravnskov.
http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol/
I have friends in the profession and I respect them. However, if more doctors could discuss alternatives other than pills/surgery, more people would be educated on the alternatives.
Who's betting that these guys have stock in Big Pharma and probably getting generous kickbacks?
62 here - was prescribed statins years ago for high cholesterol. I stopped taking them. Feeling fine, no symptoms whatsoever of heart problems. I’ll take my chances.
Great news for the drug industry.
I assume pharmaceutical stocks have jumped?
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