Statins are the gold standard for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. They are a key part of treatment for people with existing heart disease too. But there is a lot of misinformation about statins.
Here are some common statin myths debunked.
MYTH: If I eat healthy, exercise, and feel fine, I don’t need a statin.
FACT: Eating healthy and staying active is important. But for many people, these healthy habits alone may not lower cholesterol enough to reduce the chance of heart attack and stroke. And, unlike an antibiotic or a pain reliever, you may not “feel” the effects of a statin, but it’s working to protect your heart.
MYTH: Statins are only necessary for people with very high cholesterol.
FACT: Statins are recommended not only based on your cholesterol level, but also on an estimate of how likely you are to develop heart or blood vessel diseases. Even mildly elevated cholesterol can be harmful when you have other risk factors too. For example, things like age, blood pressure, diabetes, weight, smoking history, and prior heart events or stroke.
MYTH: Statins cause muscle pain, weakness, and other side effects.
FACT: Most people – about 9 out of 10 – do NOT have muscle aches from taking a statin. If aches do occur, they're usually mild, affect large muscles (not joints), and can often be managed and reversed by lowering the statin dose or stopping it. You may also be able to lower the amount you take or try a different statin – there are many to choose from.
MYTH: Dietary supplements can lower cholesterol just as well as statins.
FACT: Dietary supplements are not recommended. There is limited evidence that they can lower cholesterol or prevent heart disease. Some supplements – such as red yeast rice – can even cause harm.
MYTH: Statins will affect my memory or ability to think clearly.
FACT: Studies have not shown a relationship between statin use and problems with memory or thinking. Some studies even suggest statins may be linked to a lower chance of dementia, likely due to improved blood flow to the brain.
MYTH: Statins cause diabetes.
FACT: Studies show statins may cause a small rise in blood sugar in some people. This is most likely in people who are already likely to develop diabetes. The rise in blood sugar is small. The heart benefits of statins – a lower chance of heart attack and stroke – far outweigh the risk.
MYTH: Statins harm the liver.
FACT: Liver problems from statins are very rare. Because liver issues are so uncommon, routine or repeated liver tests are not needed unless symptoms occur. Your care team may check your liver before starting treatment.
MYTH: Statins are overprescribed and not needed much of the time.
FACT: Statins are recommended based on a person's short- and long-term risk (chance) of having a heart attack or stroke. The higher your risk, the more likely you are to benefit from a statin. So, it's not just about your cholesterol numbers, though cholesterol is an important indicator