Adults age 75 and older may not need statins. Their doctors usually prescribe statins to prevent heart disease. But for older people, there is no clear evidence that high cholesterol leads to heart disease or death.

When should elderly stop taking statins?

“To patients, we would say that if you regularly take statins for high cholesterol, we would recommend you don’t stop the treatment when you are 75,” emphasized lead researcher Philippe Giral, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist and specialist in prevention of CVD.

Are statins effective after age 75?

Another consideration for this study is that while analyzing medical records for a large population can provide evidence of a drug’s benefit, only a well-designed clinical trial can provide definitive evidence that statin therapy is safe and effective in adults 75 and older.

When should atorvastatin be stopped?

Serious side effects when taking atorvastatin are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people. Stop taking atorvastatin and call a doctor if you get: muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps – these can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage.

Why would statins be stopped?

This is because it can be dangerous to stop taking statins. These drugs are highly effective in preventing heart problems such as heart attack and stroke. In fact, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), they can reduce your risk of these and other cholesterol-related problems by as much as 50 percent.

Is it OK to stop taking statins for a week?

You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks. If you forget to take your dose, do not take an extra one to make up for it. Just take your next dose as usual the following day.

What are the dangers of stopping statins?

Stopping your statin has been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular events (like heart attack) and death in patients with coronary artery disease. In a recent 8-year study, more than half of patients stopped their statin believing they were experiencing a side effect.

Should 70 year olds take statins?

Adults age 75 and older may not need statins. Many older adults have high cholesterol. Their doctors usually prescribe statins to prevent heart disease. But for older people, there is no clear evidence that high cholesterol leads to heart disease or death.

What is the best statin for the elderly?

Atorvastatin or fluvastatin are usually recommended because there is no need to adjust the dose according to the glomerular filtration rate [28]. In patients without diagnosed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, it is indicated a moderate dose of statin, such as atorvastatin 20 mg daily [28].

Are statins safe for over 70s?

Statins should be taken with caution if you’re at an increased risk of developing a rare side effect called myopathy, which is where the tissues of your muscles become damaged and painful. Severe myopathy (rhabdomyolysis) can lead to kidney damage. Things that can increase this risk include: being over 70 years old.

Can I stop statins after 3 months?

The study included a total of 45,151 participants. It found that people who quit taking statins 3–6 months after having an IS were 42% more likely to experience a second stroke within 6–18 months. There was no increased risk for people who continued to take statins at a reduced dose.

What happens if I don’t take my statins?

Doctors often prescribe a fibrate for patients who can’t take a statin. Like the statins, fibrates reduce the body’s cholesterol production, but they are less effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. In other areas, though, fibrates actually have the edge.

What are the long term effects of atorvastatin?

Lipitor can cause severe and even life-threatening side effects including:

• Muscle damage (myopathy)
• Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) leading to possible kidney failure.
• Liver dysfunction.
• Tendon rupture.
• Blood disorders (low blood cell counts)
• Lung injury and scarring.

Is there a natural substitute for statins?

For patients who can’t tolerate cholesterol-lowering statins, natural remedies like bergamot, garlic and green tea may be a useful alternative, based on a recent statement published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

What can you take instead of statins?

7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins

• Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis.
• Plant stanols and sterols.
• Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins.
• Niacin.
• Policosanol.
• Red yeast rice extract (RYRE)
• Natural products.

Why are doctors pushing statins?

A study published Monday is pushing back against the notion that up to 40 percent of Americans should be taking statin drugs to reduce the risk of heart disease. The study, in the Annals of Internal Medicine, argues that current medical guidelines haven’t adequately considered the risks from these widely used drugs.