Statins

[CAPP0]

Well obviously an internet forum is not necessarily the best place to seek life-affecting diagnoses, but having spoken to a GP (locum) and receiving less-than-conclusive advice, I figured why not.

Background:

I'm 51, 6'4" tall, I weigh 15.5 stone and that translates into a BMI of about 26. I'm fairly active (rather than overtly sporty, but I don't sit on my backside for long periods of time, I walk the dog most days, I cycle sometimes, and other bits & pieces besides). No regular exercise regime though. Blood pressure is 136/84, but according to my own GP it's not anything which needs close attention (I thought it was a little on the high side). Cholesterol 4.2. I probably consume the upper limits of recommended alcohol units per week, but I don't and never have smoked.

Still with me?

Going back as far as grandparents, on both sides, no history of heart attack or stroke at all, including parents' siblings.

HOWEVER......at the start of this year, my GP mentioned that there was a local study underway into CIMT: Carotid Intima Media Thickness. He positioned this as something I "might as well" do, as he had completed all the standard tests inc bloods, and there were no indicators to suggest that I had any problems.

Fast forward to today, and I get my results. Apparently my "number" is 0.85, and anything over 0.65 is considered to mean that the patient has a higher risk of TIA, stroke or heart attack. The recommendation is to take statins. Permanently.

I wasn't happy with this, and pushed for more info from the GP. The net result was that the GP said that statins were recommended, but on the other hand, the CIMT process and results and comparisons were at a less than established stage currently, and not everyone bought into them. Essentially she said it's entirely up to me whether I accept/take the statins or not.

I don't know much about statins but on first thoughts, I'm very reluctant to be put on drugs for the rest of my natural, particularly when nobody can really tell me whether it will be a good thing or not. The doctor has suggested that I lose more weight based on my BMI; fine, but I don't think I need to lose masses; I'm a big bloke anyway and I don't want to look anorexic. I personally am not sure that BMI is a good representation of body state at the extremes of height, and it doesn't consider your build at all.

Clearly I equally don't want to put myself at risk when I could just pop a pill every day, but as a reasonably healthy individual with no underlying health issues and a good family health background, what would you do, or recommend?

[davepoth]

Educate yourself on Carotid Intima Media Thickness, I would suggest. Plenty of academic papers about it are available on the web.

Here's one.

http://www.postgradmed.org/doi/10.3810/pgm.2010.01...

[rog3k]

My gp put me on statins a few years ago on the basis that my cholesterol was a bit too high BUT before he did I did try to reduce it by amending my diet - I cut out cakes, biscuits, etc & I would really recommend that you do all 'natural' things you can first to improve your health / cholesterol levels. I know nothing about the CIMT 'thing' & have not looked at the suggested link - I'm only going on my personal experience & all IMHO. I also think there are some undesirable side effects of the statins which can occur so if you don't need 'em, don't take 'em - again IMHO.

[Halb]

I have bought this,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Cholesterol-Really-C...
still not read it.
also this one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trick-Treat-Healthy-Eating...


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Cholesterol-are-Good-Y...

[CAPP0]

The thing is, my cholesterol is at a sensible level, my diet's not unhealthy, family history is non-existent; I was "signed off" as healthy back in Feb this year, and it's only this one test, which even the GP said was not necessarily universally accepted as conclusive, which has raised the question.

Having had a couple of days to ponder and to discuss with Mrs C, I think I'm going to seek a second opinion.

[JumboBeef]

Apart from anything else, reduce your alcohol intake:

http://cholesterol.about.com/od/cholesterolnutriti...

web so it must be true said:

There is a limit on the amount of alcohol you can consume, however. Studies have also shown that drinking more than three alcoholic drinks per day can actually increase your risk of heart disease. So, you can drink any type of alcohol, but do so in moderation: One drink a day if you are a healthy woman, and one to two drinks a day if you are a healthy man.