Medical opinion divided over statins

In recent years statins have been touted as the "wonder drug" in th battle to prevent heart disease, especially in people over 55. Now however, one school of scientists and doctors believes that some groups, especially women, do not necessarily benefit from these drugs. There is a growing debate going on between these two camps that should at least inspire further necessary research on this important issue.

Dr Malcolm Kendrick is a GP working for the European Society of Cardiology who says that statins are really only effective for a few groups of people mainly including those who already have heart disease and for whom it would be dangerous not to have treatment. However, he says, they are a waste of time for all women with or without heart disease and for older men for whom it is just a preventative.

However, doctors all over the country are encouraging all men and women to take statins if they have a cholesterol level higher than five. Alarmingly, 90 per cent of adults over 50 are in this category but it has been shown that lowering cholesterol does not in fact prevent heart disease anyway.

Moreover, the cost of mass medicating millions of over 50s on statins is phenomenal and is costing the country dear. Wouldn't it be better to encourage people over 50 to look to their diet and lifestyle in order to improve their health and lower their cholesterol levels naturally without recourse to statins? This would have the double effect of enhanced lifestyle and increased longevity.

Dr Kendrick says that statins have some rather unpleasant side effects which can include death as evidenced by some three hundred deaths in the US. At the least about 40 per cent of people experience some level of muscle pain and the drugs impact negatively on brain function in various ways, including depression, memory loss, confusion, irritability and even aggression. They are also linked to cancer according to a Japanese study, and may also cause Parkinsons.

Using lifestyle and dietary measures to reduce cholesterol and improve health generally may take some more effort than "popping a pill" but will repay huge dividends in terms of health and longevity.

However, those who do take statins can take alongside their medication, a special supplement called CoQ10 that protects the cardiovascular system. Ironically, levels in the body of this powerful antioxidant are depleted by statin drugs. Indeed, some doctors do prescribe CoQ10 supplements for their patients on statin medication.

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