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Statins: Thanks, But No Thanks

November 18, 2008 4:30 pm 2 comments

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Despite the the publication of a study last week showing that millions more people could benefit from taking the cholesterol-lowering
drugs known as statins, even if they have low cholesterol, not everyone is on board. The New York Times’ Tara Parker-Pope had little trouble finding health experts who maintain that statins for heart disease needn’t be given to healthy
patients. Instead, Parker-Pope reports, they say the focus should remain on encouraging
healthful behavior and screening for traditional risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol. The "Well" column author points out that "there is disagreement about what Jupiter showed. The New England
Journal editorial concluded that treating 120 people for about two
years would help one person. The study authors, using different
criteria, came up with a figure of 95." Who’s right?  Depends, at the moment, on who you want to believe.
Read more in the New York Times.

2 Comments

  • Dean Williams
    November 20, 2008
    7:20 am

    Beware:Statin use study links Statins to Tendinitis and Rupture!
    WebMD Health News Feb. 28, 2008

    Reply
  • Anonymous
    November 21, 2008
    7:22 pm

    I tried statins per doctor suggestion.It did not work because I felt I did not need to stay away from cholesterol laden foods because of the meds. I had to pay for the meds and take extra blood test to see if I was being harmed by its use. I didn’ have a cardiac risk to begin with. I see that it was a waste of energy for me. ,your friend.the end.

    Reply

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