Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Statins (used to lower cholesterol) use does not reduce the risk of heart attacks

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In a recent study no connection was found between the level of exposition to statins in the population and the incidence or mortality from heart attack (Nilsson et al 2011). The use rate of statins increased almost three times for both men and women between 1998 and 2002. However, the change in statin use from 1998 to 2000 showed no correlation to the change in heart attack mortality. They concluded, “despite a widespread and increasing utilisation of statins, no correlation to the incidence or mortality of AMI (heart attack) could be detected.”  It should be highlighted that all these researchers are medical doctors or working in a medical establishment.

The drugs don’t work but have serious side effects including recent studies showing increases in diabetes and breast cancer.  Although there are many more serous side effects.

In one study Atorvastatin (a statin drug used to lower cholesterol) increases the risk for new-onset type 2 diabetes, according to an analysis of three large trials published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (The trials, as well as this analysis, were sponsored by atorvastatin's manufacturer). Researchers were responding to a 2010 Lancet meta-analysis, which found an increased risk for new-onset diabetes after all statin use and were trying to show their drug was not so bad. In the meta analysis released in the Lancet, using data from 13 randomized trials comprising some 90,000 subjects, found a 9% increase in diabetes risk among those receiving statins compared with controls. The statin-diabetes association was stronger with increasing age and given these drugs are give to older people this is of even more concern. The authors calculate that 255 patients would have to be treated with statins for 4 years to produce an additional case of diabetes. This compares to the need to treat around 300 people with statin drugs to reduce the risk of heart attack (not death) by one or according to the research above no reduction at all.  However, the medical profession continue to use relative statistics and say they benefit by 30 or more percent. Obviously these doctors failed stats at university or more likely did not do them.

A recent study (McDougall et al September 2013) found current users of statins for 10 years or longer had a 1.83-to 1.97-fold increased respectively for Ductal and Lobular Breast Cancer. In their conclusion they reported that long-term use of statins was associated with increased risks of both IDC and ILC.

In support of t is here is a comment from one of my readers that might interest you.

“I recently stopped my statin drugs as I was experiencing bad muscle pains. My GP actually said that "statins don't really help women anyway". Hello, why has he then prescribed this and wasted all my money? “ GD, Brisbane

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