Statins Aren’t Vitamins

I’m surprised that the FDA is considering approving the use of statins for people without high cholesterol. They’re taking a look at an advisory panel’s recommendation to approve the use of statins for people with normal cholesterol, but with other risk factors like high levels of C-reactive protein, believed to be a marker of inflammation.

The advisory panel recommended extended statin usage primarily based upon results from the Jupiter trial, which was funded by AstraZeneca — the people who make Crestor. Am I the only one who feels statins are so poplar mainly because there’s money to be made? Yes, I know that drug companies don’t have the same funding issues as other sources of research funding. And I’m aware of the research supporting statin usage to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but I’m not convinced the benefits outweigh the risks for everyone.

The potential price of taking statins

Most people who have considered the idea of taking a statin for high cholesterol know that the drugs aren’t risk free. They may lower cholesterol, but sometimes at the cost of some serious side effects. And now people with normal cholesterol might take statins too? I’m not a scientist, but it seems like we all need to take a deep breath and get a little less excited about these drugs. They aren’t vitamins, after all.

Some statin side effects impact quality of life. According to Mayo Clinic, muscle pain is the most common side effect reported. It can be tough to put up with muscle pain for the sake of lowering cholesterol if you’re otherwise heart healthy. Some people taking statins may also experience digestive issues. I tried a 40 mg Zocor generic and could barely move from the stomach cramps. Days later, I still felt like my stomach had been used as a punching bag.

In addition to the merely annoying side effects, statins can actually kill you. Rarely, muscle pain can signal a very serious and sometimes deadly side effect of statin use: rhabdomyolysis, muscle damage which may lead to kidney failure and liver damage. It’s this rare, but life-threatening side effect that makes me scratch my head at the thought of taking this serious drug if you don’t have to.

According to Mayo Clinic, you’re at greater risk of experiencing side effects from statin usage if you’re female, have a small body frame, suffer from type 1 ot type 2 diabetes, take multiple cholesterol-lowering medications, or if you’re age 65 or older.

Read more about this issue at CNN: FDA considers statin use for those with normal cholesterol.

Do you think the FDA should approve the use of statins for people without high cholesterol?

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That Sly Selenium

It might be tricky determining exactly what affect selenium supplements have on your body. Selenium is a trace essential mineral found in foods like veggies, meat, fish, butter, garlic, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, raisins and more. One A Day Women’s daily vitamin contains only 29% of the daily value of selenium. And maybe that’s a good thing.

For most women, there appears to be no need to stock up on extra selenium supplements. Doing so may actually increase your cholesterol.

Researchers from the University of Warwick found that too much selenium may raise cholesterol by nearly 10%. Dr. Saverio Stranges, who led the research, said that high selenium levels weren’t exclusively caused by people taking supplements, yet the study results are a cause of concern since selenium dietary supplement usage has risen recently in the UK.

Why are people focusing on selenium supplements? There’s a belief that selenium can reduce the risk of cancer. Selenium’s role in cancer prevention is still being researched, and it may be naive to think the mineral can protect you from cancer.

A study from the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer (NPC) suggested that selenium supplementation may lower the risk of prostate cancer among a limited group of men. Yet, selenium didn’t reduce the risk of other cancers like lung, colorectal or basal cell carcinoma. Plus, selenium increased the risk of squamous cell skin carcinoma. However, other studies have suggested that low levels of selenium could be a risk factor for certain cancers. An ongoing study aims to definitively answer the question of selenium’s role in prostate cancer prevention. Visit Medline Plus for more info on selenium research.

It seems the jury is still out on the matter of selenium and cancer prevention. Yet, the new research from University of Warwick researchers shows that selenium may not be the guardian angel you’re looking for.

Do you take selenium supplements?

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Q&A: Cholesterol Concerns for Women

Bradley Bale, MD and Amy Doneen ARNP answered my questions on cholesterol concerns for women. They specialize in the prevention of heart attacks and ischemic strokes. You can read more about them at Bale Doneen Method.

How often should women have their cholesterol checked?
Women should have their cholesterol checked at least by the time of puberty. If it is fine, it should be rechecked at least every five years until age 25. After age 25, annual lipid testing should be standard. Women should have cholesterol evaluated pre and post each pregnancy, as hormone levels can cause significant variations in lipid profiles. Women go through significant hormone variations with puberty, pregnancy, peri-menopause and menopause so it is essential that normal levels be established before these significant events.

If you feel fine is it important to know your cholesterol numbers?
Feeling fine has no bearing on when to check cholesterol, as most women feel perfectly normal right up until the time of a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, many women have cholesterol numbers that appear rather stable and yet may be at tremendous risk so it is essential to get regular medical care. It is also important to realize that many women who have a heart attack or ischemic stroke have symptoms that vary from the classic symptom of chest pain. Specifically, many women report shortness of breath, anxiety, fatigue and inability to sleep. These symptoms are often discounted and ignored, which can have detrimental effects.

My cholesterol results tell me my total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL – which number is important?
Elevated cholesterol is a risk factor and should be taken seriously at any age. It was recently reported from the Women’s Health Study that the total cholesterol (TC) –good cholesterol (HDL) ratio (TC/HDL) is the most predictive cholesterol number. Ideally the ratio of TC/HDL should be less than 3.0. Simply relying on one of the values exclusively is often misleading.

Treating cholesterol with lifestyle and diet can be very challenging – at what point should a woman with high cholesterol consider taking medications to lower her cholesterol?
All women need to maximize their lifestyle for overall wellness. A healthy diet along with a daily exercise routine is the most important health decision we can control. Medication to lower cholesterol should be strongly considered for all women who (1) have atherosclerosis (cholesterol build up in the wall of an artery), (2) have Type 2 Diabetes or (3) cannot achieve the National Cholesterol Educational Panel’s guidelines for LDL or non-HDL levels based on their Framingham or Reynold’s risk score (FRS & RRS). Lifestyle should be initiated during all ages and many medical therapies now have FDA approval for use in the pediatric population. Pregnancy is one area where pharmaceutical intervention should be avoided. Women need to realize the FRS and RRS frequently underestimate their risk.

Additional information
Any female interested in being aggressive with preventing a heart attack or stroke should consider additional screening with the painless relatively inexpensive ultrasound (US) scan of their carotid arteries known as carotid IMT (not the more commonly performed duplex US of the carotids) and having a blood test called Lp-PLA2 drawn. This blood test is the only FDA approved test for stroke and heart attack risk assessment. If any significant issues are discovered, they should seek the advice of health care providers who specialize in preventing heart attacks and strokes.

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Internet Searches: Exercise for Your Brain

Using the Internet to find information can stimulate key areas of the brain associated with memory and decision-making.

UCLA scientists found that for middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience, benefits could be attained in just one week of Web surfing. In the future, the scientists hope to also study the impact of Internet use on younger adults.

Scientists studied adults ages 55 to 78, comparing people with very little prior Internet experience with participants who used the Internet daily. Participants performed Internet searches while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, which track brain activity by measuring cerebral blood flow.

After the first scan, study participants conducted Internet searches at home for one hour a day (a total of seven days) over two weeks. They used the Internet to answer questions about topics. A second brain scan was performed using the same Internet simulation task with different topics. The second brain scan of participants who had little Internet experience prior to the study showed new triggering of parts of the brain important in working memory and decision-making.

“The results suggest that searching online may be a simple form of brain exercise that might be employed to enhance cognition in older adults,” said Teena D. Moody, the study’s first author.

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Are Statins Drugs of the Rich?

Since statins were introduced for the treatment of high cholesterol, the wealthy have seen a decline in lipid levels double to that of the poor.

A study by researchers at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago analyzed the social disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular disease since statins were introduced. Their research findings are published in the September issue of Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

The researchers note that high cholesterol used to be a rich man’s disease. They had easier access to high fat foods like red meat. Because wealthier Americans are more likely to be treated with statins, they’re now the least likely to suffer high cholesterol.

It seems that even though statins can help lower elevated cholesterol, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, lower income families haven’t yet been able to take advantage of them like wealthier Americans.

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Statins Might Protect Against Alzheimer’s

Do you take statins? If so, you could also be fighting off Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers in The Netherlands showed that statins, normally taken to lower bad cholesterol, can also protect nerve cells from becoming damaged, as occurs in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

That nerve cell protection is believed to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. According to Alzheimer’s Association, as many as 5.3 million people in the US live with the disease.

In animal experiments conducted in the lab at University of Groningen, the statin Lovastatin prevented nerve cells from dying and thereby prevented the loss of memory capacity.

The research was published in the June issue of Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

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Cholesterol Meds May Have Another Benefit

Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins have just gotten a new boost from a study called Jupiter. According to the study, statins may also reduce the risk of developing blood clots, which can be deadly if they travel to the lungs. The study is published online at the New England Journal of Medicine.

About the Study:

Jupiter was conducted at multiple centers (1,315 sites) in 26 countries. It was double-blind: the patients and doctors weren’t aware who received the placebo and who received statins. Study subjects didn’t have high cholesterol or histories of heart disease. During the study, 94 participants developed blood clots, and 60 of them were in the placebo group. Only 34 study subjects taking the statins developed a clot.

Study Results:

Healthy people who received the statins (Rosuvastatin known as Crestor) were 43% less likely (compared with placebo group) to develop a blood clot known as venous thromboembolism. Even though the medicine reduced the risk of blood clots, the main goal of the study was to look at reductions in heart attacks, stroke and other heart problems. Jupiter found that heart attacks were reduced by more than half, and angioplasty, stroke, bypass surgery and death were also reduced.

If you have risk factors for blood clots, the study results may be worth discussing with your doctor. However, keep in mind that strong statins like Crestor have known serious side effects in some cases.

Note about the study:
The trial was financially supported by AstraZeneca (makers of Crestor), but they played no role in the conduct of the analyses or drafting of the study manuscript.

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Sudden Heart Attack

When you have a complete physical every year, a problem with your heart may not be evident. There are a number of ways to examine the heart such as stress test, CT scans, angiograms and X-rays looking for blocked arteries.

These test are effective in showing the slow chronic built-up of plaque in your arteries that eventually cause blockage. When someone has a sudden heart attack often it is caused by a tiny piece of plaque. The plaque was so small that it was not detected in any test, but suddenly ruptures in their artery.

One doctor explained the sudden heart attack by saying, "plaque is like a piece of popcorn that has been placed in a microwave that all of a sudden bursts open." When this happens a blood clot will form blocking the flow of blood within seconds.

If doctors cannot reliably predict if you’re likely to have a sudden heart attack, prevention becomes all the more critical. Below you will find a list of some of the most effective measures for prevention.

Keep cholesterol levels low: If you have high cholesterol, you can often lower it with the use of medications called statins, which not only prevent the buildup of plaque in arteries, but "stabilize" the plaque so it’s less likely to rupture.

Do not smoke: Smoking is extremely damaging to blood vessels.

Avoid excess weight: Fat is especially dangerous around the stomach. Dr. Cam Patterson of the University of North Carolina explains: "Abdominal obesity is so bad because we know now that fat cells in the abdomen secrete chemicals that irritate the arteries around the heart, making it more likely that the plaque is going to rupture."

Get regular exercise: For a healthy heart, you should get cardiovascular exercise at least 30 minutes a day, four times a week.

You will find more information on sudden heart attacks on the site listed below.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5180113&page=1

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

Rare Side Effect of Statin Drug Use

If you’ve had a discussion with your doc about statin (cholesterol-lowering drugs) use, it probably went something like this:

“Studies show that you’ll live longer if you take statins. I’ve been practicing for 20 years, and in all that time, I’ve only had to take one patient off statins because of muscle weakness.”

Ok. So, that’s what my doctor said. But I decided to lower my cholesterol with diet and exercise instead. I’ve made some progress.

But my point here is to say that even though statins are generally safe, you should still be aware of a very rare (well under 3% of patients) and newly researched side effect: eye disorders.

The study, published in the Dec. 1 issue of Ophthalmology, is the first to systematically report on statin use and associated eye disorders. Statins are known to sometimes cause muscular disorders, so the association with eye disorders wasn’t too big of a stretch.

Some problems include: double vision, drooping of the upper eyelid and loss of full range of motion of the eyes. Patients who exhibited these symptoms did so after about eight months of drug use. However, the eye problems resolved when statin use was stopped. Whew!

Read more about the study at Science Daily.

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