Read about this. Still unsure. The cholesterol pathway is the most studied pathway in the body and we still don't fully understand it. First we thought cholesterol was cholesterol until we realised there was "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and that the former was protective and the latter the risk factor. Now we know that even then it's not as straight forward as that.

I remember a discussion a while back with a group of GPs who were divided about whether to take statins or not despite being fit and well. Some argued that it had a benefit (IIRC it does something more than just reduce cholesterol but we don't know what) and others argued it was a waste of time.

I can see the rationale if you've already had a heart attack or stroke, and hence are at high risk of recurrence. I can see the argument if you're at very high risk (>20%). But beyond this, I'm less than convinced.

All they are suggesting is lowering the threshold to 10% risk of within 10 years. Though why not extend trials to more groups?

One wonders whether the patent is coming to an end, and the makers want to sell more before it's too late. </cynic>

The patent for atorvastatin came to an end in 2011.

So it's not that particular conspiracy theory then.

The only two people I know who have used statins are my cousin and uncle, both responded really badly to them, my cousin was really very ill, makes me a bit nervous about that idea.

same happened to me about 3 years ago. stopped taking them and just changed my diet ...

Getting people to eat healthy isn't the best option? I'd always use taking drugs as the last resort, if nothing else works.

Yes but many people are unwilling or unable to change their lifestyle. Though it would be easier for most.

I was going to tell you about my Mum who takes Statins but I think its too personal, so...

The evidence behind statins is more than just cholesterol. IIRC you could have two people who have high cholesterol, both lowered either by a statin or an alternative and despite the same end cholesterol, the person on statin has a better outcome. No idea why. This suggests statins do more than just work on cholesterol but we don't know what. It also suggests that you can have a high risk of heart attack/stroke despite normal cholesterol and still benefit from statins.

Statins can cause horrendous muscular aches and pains but a lot of anecdotal evidence points to CoQ10 supplements as combating the issue.

Statins have no side effects? This is what our study really found …

Our paper on the side effects of statins used the right method to address an important issue, but our data was flawed

http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog ... n-goldacre