I was at the VA this past Friday for a cardiologist visit, my first time doing this since switching to the VA for this.

He looked at my numbers from my annual employer biometric screening that I get every January and suggested I go on a low-dose statin every other night to see if I can improve these numbers along with some changes in diet:

HDL: 41
Reference Range: > OR = 40 mg/dL

Non-HDL: 171
Reference Range: < 130 mg/dL

Cholesterol/HDL Ratio: 5.2
Reference Range: < 5.0 (calc)

Triglycerides: 134
Reference Range: < 150 mg/dL

Total cholesterol 212
Reference Range: 125-199 mg/dL

Is this worth doing? I have never taken one before and the wife is not thrilled because "she heard" there are side effects? If it will help my numbers improve and potentially save me from heart disease, I am all for it.

Quick family history here which is why I'm trying to see a cardiologist and stay on top of this:

My Dad's father died of a heart attack when my Dad was age 12, late 40's I think and was a heavy smoker. I never met him obviously.

My own Dad had a quintuple bypass in 2003 at age 58. He's now 79 and going strong

I have had no heart issues other than some Afib which mostly went away after going on a CPAP in 2021

I am 51, an old Daddy, with a 4 year old girl and 7 and 9 year old boys and do not want to leave them fatherless because I didn't take care of my heart health.

I had a coronary calcium scan done in 2018 and 2023 and my previous cardiologist did not seem all that concerned with the scores and any changes in the 5 years between them.

I am now scheduled for an echo stress test next month as well but need to decide about the statin.

I just tried a 2 month long ‘test’ with Rosuvastatin. It worked wonders on my numbers, but the side effects I experienced ruined it for me. I had sore muscles, joint pain, and was lethargic nearly the entire time. I won’t bother with another Statin. I would rather feel better and be motivated to eat better and exercise. Everyone is different - and there are other Statins that may have less of an effect.

I have been on 20 mg daily of atorvastatin for four years.

My numbers started looking better but the doc wanted to get them a bit better so after two years, he increased to 30 mg.

I started having joint and muscle pain so I dropped back to 20 mg and the pain went away. Worked more on my diet and exercise.

Went back to the doc after 6 months and he said the 30 mg was working. I told him about the pain, dropping back to 20 mg and did the rest with diet and exercise.

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as history in my family so want to keep my cholesterol in good shape.

Bladder cancer last year as well as aphib. My six-month post chemo checkup is tomorrow. Was good at three months so we will see tomorrow.

Cholesterol numbers are still great.

I've been on 40mg of Atorvastatin daily for several years. I have had zero side effects.

I get a thorough blood test done annually and my numbers are always in the normal range.

I should mention that I've never had a side effect from any med and have no known allergies, so perhaps I'm somewhat unusual in that respect.

I've been on the generic for the statin Lipitor over 30 years without issue. My cholesterol is produced by my liver and diet has no effect on it, so cholesterol reducing drugs are my only option.

In my case the statins lower my Cholesterol readings, but not enough to prevent coronary artery blockages. Currently I have three stints and now have added Repatha injections to the mix to further reduce my levels.

If you do make the step to taking statins, start taking coQ10 if you are not already taking the supplement. Statins have a tendency to reduce coQ10. The coQ10 tends to relieve some of the regular side effects of the statin. If you are already taking the supplement consider doubling the dosage if it is not already maximum. I take my simvastatin at night and coQ10 in the morning. Before I learned about coQ10, I was having muscle/cramping issues.

I just started Rosuvastatin (generic Crestor) three weeks ago (10mg / daily) and haven’t experienced any side effects. 40 years old / decent shape … doc thinks cholesterol levels are high mainly due to genetic factors. No real history of heart disease within my extended family.

My numbers were pretty high, so hoping to see some good results when I get re-tested in six months.

I’ve been watching and reading A LOT (tons) about statins over the past couple of weeks and I had no idea they were so incredibly controversial / disputed in the medical community.

I’m really not sure which side to believe, but the anti-statin crowd does seem to make some compelling points.

For now, I’m sticking with what most doctors seem to agree on (when it comes to general guidelines and such).

Simvastatin increased my blood sugar tremendously. All statins may increase blood sugar levels in some people. I was one of those people. Take statins then you may need Type 2 meds!

When I was going to be checked out by a cardiologist one of those first time annual checkups, my GP said its highly likely the first thing he'll do is tell you that you need to be on a statin, that just about every one does it, and that in his opinion for me it wasn't necessary.

Amazingly the cardiologist didn't say I needed to be on one. Go figure, but it does seem to be a go to for a lot of them...

I’m 50. I have a frightening family history in the cardiac arena. Shit genetics led me to a statin about a decade ago. Started with Lipitor. Immediate side effects so stopped. Replaced with Crestor then the generic. I take a COQ10 supplement. No issues. Numbers are much better. I’m trying to avoid being a third generation bypass recipient. I saw a cardiologist a few years ago after a stress test that showed an issue. Did a bunch of other tests and the stress test ended up as bad data. Had a long talk with the cardiologist about my concerns and his advice. There are many statins. You can likely find one that works for you if that’s what you decide to do. You might also try lifestyle changes for three months. You need to be honest with yourself about what you’re willing to do and they need to be sustainable.

Maybe get the calcification test, usually $99 and it can give you some additional information before making the decision. My calcification score came back as 0 (perfect). I am 55, muscular and in good shape. All of my other bloodwork and numbers are excellent. The only thing out of range is the total cholesterol.

I passed on the Statin.

You can also calculate this number for even more info, under 17 is best, mine was 12.

"Remnant cholesterol represents the amount of cholesterol in remnant lipoproteins, a form of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) from which sugary fatty acids — called triglycerides — have been removed. Along with traditional measurements of blood LDL cholesterol (frequently called “bad cholesterol”) levels, the cholesterol within remnant lipoproteins has been studied as an additional means of assessing a person’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Remnant cholesterol levels are basically calculated as the total cholesterol amount minus the LDL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, the so-called “good cholesterol”) counts."

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCourage:
Maybe get the calcification test, usually $99 and it can give you some additional information before making the decision. My calcification score came back as 0 (perfect). I am 55, muscular and in good shape. All of my other bloodwork and numbers are excellent. The only thing out of range is the total cholesterol.

This was in my OP:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I had a coronary calcium scan done in 2018 and 2023 and my previous cardiologist did not seem all that concerned with the scores and any changes in the 5 years between them.

quote:

Is this worth doing?

Not a doctor but IMO > NO.

Statins are prescribed now days primarily to sell drugs.

You cannot make a diagnosis simply base on those numbers.
The only relevant number on your list is Triglycerides which is not terribly high but can greatly reduced by lowering carb consumption.

You need a more in depth Lipid Panel to determine you real scenario.
Get a Lipid panel with NMR. Look at your Glucose.

You also need to have a Doctor that understands Lipids.
FWIW, cholesterol is NOT bad.

https://www.labcorp.com/tests/...ted-documents/L15035

The side effects of Statins can be awful.

Look into your diet ~ specifically Low Carb (KETO, Carnivore or just lowering carb).

I will never ever take a statin.

My Cardiologist put me on a Statin . Muscle and joint aches . He took me off of that and prescribed Ezetimibe . He said it's not a Statin .

I was prescribed Lipitor about 15 years ago and after taking it, I felt miserable

Doc changed it to Atorvastatin and while a wee bit better I still had major body ache - literally every muscle hurt

I told the doc I was going to stop taking the stuff and within a week I felt so much better

I wish you the best in your recovery

Similar to several others, I tried a low dose statin (Simvastatin, IIRC) several years back, but didn't like the side effects and discontinued it.

I was able to lower my numbers through just diet, mostly eating fewer carbs and more fiber, plus intermittent fasting 16/8 (e.g. not eating from 7 pm - 11 am each day).

I don't know about statins. I am on high blood pressure medication. I'm taking two kinds.

When I started going to the VA, they suggested I double one of the pressure medications. the other one was already twice a day. I agreed.

Then they said I should take a third medication. I disagreed.

All this to say: you have free agency. There's something about being stupid and not heeding sensible medical advice but there's also something about listening to your own gut.

There are a lot of side effects that pale in comparison to a STEMI. There are some unlucky folks that are cursed with high cholesterol that can't be controlled by any diet, or any amount of exercise. If taking the pills can keep someone from experiencing an early and painful death most any side effect would be easy to overlook. I wish that I had not scoffed at the information that I was given in my 40's, it may have saved me a lot of trouble in my 50's.

I tried a bunch of Statins.

They all hurt like hell until I was put on Vytorin which is a mixture of two drugs. Back then I had to fight for weeks with the insurance company as it was more expensive than the other drugs at the time.

It is now out in generic form.

YMMV

Those numbers don't sound that bad, if I understand them correctly.