Statins May Cause Crippling Muscle Problems

The most popular cholesterol drugs may cause muscle problems in users, according to a leading researcher.

There is accumulating evidence that the effect statins, which form a class of hypolipidemic drugs used to lower cholesterol levels in people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease, can have on skeletal muscle - including muscle weakness, fatigue and deterioration - is underestimated, said Jill Slade, assistant professor of radiology and osteopathic manipulative medicine at MSU.

Statins Taken For Reducing Cholesterol Found To Reduce Death Rate Associated With Heart Attack As Well
For most of history, the human heart has been regarded as a forbidden organ too delicate to tamper with. It might have remained so, were it not for World War II.

"Statins work by preventing cholesterol from forming," said Slade.

"While this is a good thing inside structures such as liver cells, it can be problematic in places such as muscle cells," Slade added.

About 50 percent of all Americans over the age of 50 are prescribed a statin medication, including Lipitor, Crestor and Torvast, and their use has tripled in the past seven years. Side effects affecting skeletal muscles have been reported in up to 7 percent or may be a higher percentage of users.

No Clear Evidence for Ultra-Low Cholesterol Targets?
Experts have suggested that some people should aim even lower, recently recommending very low levels of the type of cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein for some high-risk people.

As a part of the study Jill will use nuclear magnetic resonance imaging at the MSU Department of Radiology Exercise and Nutrition Lab to measure muscle integrity and function before and during statin treatment.

Fifty people - half taking high doses of statins and half taking low doses - will be analyzed over a one- to six-month period.

Statins Can be Equally Beneficial for Healthy People too
A new study has revealed that statins, which are normally given to people with high cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke

"While statins have tremendously helped millions of Americans lower their cholesterol and improve their cardiac health, we need to be confident we are not causing other problems in the body. It is important to understand the side effects of using statins and have the tools to identify people who may be more susceptible to them," Slade said.

Source-ANI
SK

Statins reduces cardiovascular risk but no cancer risk.
Two independent studies have found that statins do not reduce the risk of developing cancer but is beneficial against lowering cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk.