Are Statin Drugs Right For You

Statin drugs are herald as the wonder drug of the 21st. century. These wonder drugs block the substance that will potentially cause cholesterol and will in time block your arteries.

Health care providers also believe that the statin drugs may help to eliminate the plaque over time, that is already present in your arteries.

The belief is that in time, health care providers will see benefits to their patients from these drugs, other then just lowering cholesterol. The statin drugs are already showing promise in other areas.

Your cholesterol level and other risk factors for heart failure will determine whether statin drugs are needed or not. Some of the risk factors for high cholesterol are as follows.

• Family history of high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease
• Lifestyle
• Blood pressure
• Age
• General health
• Presence of diabetes
• Excess weight
• Smoking
• Peripheral vascular disease — narrowing of the arteries in your neck, arms or legs

You will find more important information on the Mayo Clinic web site.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statins/CL00010

Who’s at risk of developing statin side effects?

Not everyone who takes a statin will have side effects, but some people may be at a greater risk than are others. Risk factors include:

• Taking multiple medications to lower your cholesterol
• Being female
• Having a smaller body frame
• Being age 65 and older
• Having kidney or liver disease
• Having type 1 or 2 diabetes

Statin side effects may be linked to genetics. More research is needed before a genetic test is widely available to determine if you may have side effects from taking a statin medication.

 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statin-side-effects/MY00205