Recent guidelines for lowering cholesterol could result in nearly 13-million more healthy adults being put on statin drugs in the U.S. but one cardiologist says cholesterol lowering statins can be dangerous and there are more natural ways to achieve the same healthy goals.
"My legs were so sore that by the end of the day I could barely stand," Kate Gutman told Ivanhoe.
But now, 52-year-old Katherine Gutman is eating healthy, exercising and painting again. Her doctor attributes her better health to getting off of statin drugs.
Gutman explained, "We went the statin route to try and lower my cholesterol."
But according to Dr. Barbara H. Roberts, MD, FACC, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and author of The Truth about Statins, the drugs can lead patients down a dangerous road.
"The truth about statins is that their benefits are vastly exaggerated and their dangers are highly underplayed," Dr. Roberts told Ivanhoe.
Dr. Roberts says the side effects, especially in women, include an increase in developing diabetes, muscle pain and weakness, kidney and liver damage, and cataracts. But the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommend statins for millions who have or are at risk for heart disease, saying in a press release, "No other cholesterol-lowering drug is as effective as statins."
"The vast majority of people who are put on statins, about 75-percent of them, are not put on it because they have vascular disease; they are put on it because they have risk factors" Dr. Roberts explained.
And Dr. Roberts argues those risk factors can be reduced by eating a Mediterranean diet, exercising, reducing stress, maintaining a normal weight and not smoking.
"I feel pretty lucky because my cholesterol really responded," said Gutman.
Without statins Katherine's cholesterol levels went from 290 to 150 and she's feeling better than ever statin free.
Dr. Roberts says the latest recommendations to put more people on statins are even more detrimental to women because they were under represented in clinical studies to evaluate statins.
Contributors to this news report include: Laura Clarizio, Field Producer; Cortni Spearman, News Assistant and Jamie Koczan, Editor.
BACKGROUND: Statins are drugs that are meant to lower cholesterol levels in patients who have a high risk of heart attack or stroke. The drugs work by blocking the substance that your body needs in order to produce cholesterol. High cholesterol typically means you have cholesterol levels of 240 milligrams per deciliter or higher. Many doctors are now recommending those who have high cholesterol to go the statin route for help, but statins may or may not be the best solution for everyone. Although statins have been shown to help lower cholesterol in some patients, there are many side effects to taking statin drugs that many may not be aware of. Statins have common and potentially serious side effects. Common side effects of statin drugs are muscle and joint aches, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Some potentially serious side effects are liver damage, muscle problems, increased blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, and neurological side effects such as memory loss or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.
OTHER WAYS TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL: Although statin drugs may seem like an easy and safe way to lower cholesterol, the drug may not be the right fit for you. Once you begin to take a statin, you'll most likely be on it for the rest of your life and the side effects could potentially outweigh the benefits. Whether you need to be on a statin depends on your cholesterol level along with your other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, not just cholesterol alone. There are other ways to lower cholesterol outside of statin drugs. Lifestyle changes are a key way for naturally lowering cholesterol and can be essential in reducing your risk of heart disease and lowering cholesterol. These changes include:
- Quitting smoking.
- Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat, cholesterol and salt.
- Exercising 30 minutes a day, majority of the week.
- Managing Stress.
- Losing weight
Knowing the truth about statins can help determine whether or not it is the right drug for you. If you find yourself suffering from high cholesterol, consult with your doctor about your options and consider all of the benefits and effects of cholesterol lowering statin drugs.
For More Information, Contact:
Barbara H. Roberts, MD
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine
410-793-5750