I have high cholesterol, and am having trouble deciding whether statins are any good.
If you have atherosclerosis, it seems it's a good idea. Unfortunately, the most common first symptom that you have it is sudden death from a heart attack.
Statins have some negative effect. They block some chemical chain of events and stopping the production of cholesterol is only one thing it blocks.
Everyone agrees that statins lower cholesterol with relatively few side effects.
I can't find any study that shows that taking statins reduces your chance of dying. There are many studies chosen by companies who would love to have a perpetual statin drug revenue stream.
no subject
If you have atherosclerosis, it seems it's a good idea. Unfortunately, the most common first symptom that you have it is sudden death from a heart attack.
Statins have some negative effect. They block some chemical chain of events and stopping the production of cholesterol is only one thing it blocks.
Everyone agrees that statins lower cholesterol with relatively few side effects.
I can't find any study that shows that taking statins reduces your chance of dying. There are many studies chosen by companies who would love to have a perpetual statin drug revenue stream.
I have looked through this:
http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Cholesterol-are-Good-You/dp/919755538X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259741910&sr=8-1
The guys seems to be well respected and isn't quite a fanatic.