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What happens if you stop taking statin therapy?
Should I stop taking statins If I have high CK?
Why should I stop taking statins If I have high cholesterol?
What if I can't afford to take statins?
Can you stop taking statins if you have heart disease?
Jan 24, 2024 · Researchers have shown that when people stop taking statins, they have a much higher likelihood of major heart events, including: Heart attack. Stroke. Transient ischemic attack (TIA or what some people call a “mini stroke”). Thoracic aortic aneurysm (a bulging of your heart’s aorta that can burst and be severe).
- What are statins?
- How to safely come off statins
- Stopping statins
- Reducing statin use
- Continuing statins with supplementation
- Why you may want to come off statins
- Talk with your doctor
Statins are prescription medications that can lower your cholesterol levels. Popular statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor).
Statins work in two ways. First, they stop the production of cholesterol in your body. Second, they help your body reabsorb the cholesterol that has built plaques in your artery walls. This reduces your risk of blood vessel blockages and heart attacks.
Statins are typically very successful at lowering cholesterol, but they only work as long as you’re taking them. Therefore, most people who begin taking a statin medication will likely take it for the rest of their lives.
If you’ve been taking statins and would like to stop, you’ll need to do so with your doctor’s guidance. 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. The AHA looks at stopping the use of such effective medications as essentially doubling your risk of these health problems.
It’s possible for some people to stop taking statins safely, but it can be especially risky for others. For instance, if you have a history of heart attack or stroke, it’s not recommended that you stop taking these drugs. This is because you’re more likely to have another such problem when you discontinue statins.
However, if you don’t have a history of heart attack or stroke and you want to stop taking statins, your first step should be to talk to your doctor. They can help you find out what your risk factors are, and if stopping statins is a safe move for you.
Switching medications
Your doctor might suggest changing from a statin to a different type of cholesterol medication. For instance, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the following options for people with high cholesterol who cannot take statins: •ezetimibe, another cholesterol medication •a fibric acid supplement such as fenofibric acid, which can lower LDL levels and increase HDL levels •a slow-release niacin supplement, which can lower LDL levels, increase HDL levels, and lower triglyceride levels A different drug may be able to take the place of a statin in keeping your cholesterol levels in a safe range.
Adopting a diet and exercise program
Your doctor may suggest that you implement certain lifestyle changes before stopping the statin, or directly in place of the drug. These changes might include adopting an exercise program or modifying your diet. For example, the AHA suggests following a Mediterranean diet or vegan diet. Keep in mind, though, that these changes likely won’t work as quickly or as effectively as a statin in lowering your cholesterol. A healthy diet and exercise program can have many benefits for your overall health, but it may not be enough to replace the cholesterol-lowering effects of a statin. You and your doctor should closely monitor your cholesterol levels to make sure the diet and exercise changes are having the necessary effects on your cholesterol.
Instead of completely stopping your statin use, your doctor might suggest reducing your statin dosage. Less medication could mean fewer side effects, and the drug might still work well enough to manage your cholesterol levels.
Or your doctor could suggest reducing your statin dosage while adding another medication or supplement. This could resolve your issues with taking the drug, especially if they relate to side effects.
If side effects are your concern with statins, your doctor may suggest continuing to take the same dosage of your statin, but adding a supplement of CoQ10.
Some studies suggest that this plan could help reduce side effects. This is likely because statins can cause the levels of CoQ10 in your body to drop, leading to side effects such as muscle problems. Taking CoQ10 supplements could help reverse these side effects.
Not everyone needs to stop taking statins. Many people take statins for decades without having any side effects or issues. For those individuals, the medications can be a very effective form of treatment and prevention for cholesterol problems.
Others may not have the same experience with statins. People who decide to quit taking statins may have several different reasons for doing so. The following are some of the most common reasons for quitting statins.
If you want to stop taking your statin for any reason, talk with your doctor. If your doctor thinks it’s safe for you to consider changing your statin usage, they can help guide you. Reducing your dosage, adding supplements, or stopping the drug altogether might all be options.
Overall, the most important thing is to keep your cholesterol levels under control. Stopping statins on your own won’t accomplish that goal and could cause serious health risks. Work with your doctor to devise a treatment plan that can meet your cholesterol needs while keeping you safe and healthy.
Jul 23, 2024 · Statins are a type of medication that doctors prescribe to lower levels of 'bad' cholesterol and reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke. Learn how and why people stop taking statins here.
Sep 5, 2024 · Statins are a safe and effective way to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but many people stop taking them. But going off statins may raise your risk for heart disease, so it's important to talk to your provider before stopping the medication.
Jun 4, 2020 · Namely, research shows that patients who stop taking statins quickly return to pretreatment levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol) and C-reactive protein (higher levels of this protein typically indicate inflammation). Statin discontinuation can affect more than just the heart, though.
Jul 24, 2017 · Some patients decide to stop taking statins, a cholesterol-lowering drug, if they experience side effects. A new study tracked how they did.
Aug 24, 2023 · If you want to stop taking your statin medication, discuss how to do so safely with your doctor. Stopping your statin medication abruptly may increase your heart attack or stroke risk. Doctors typically taper a statin dosage down slowly to reduce this risk.
