The Heart Beat

A recent report notes that approximately 7,000 Americans have unnecessary heart attacks annually because they stop taking prescribed statin drugs. These projections were made from a Dutch study of nearly 60,000 new statin users and their prescriptions over a two-year period, which found that about half the patients stopped taking the drugs during that time.

Statin medications lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme that controls how much cholesterol the body is able to produce. The most commonly prescribed and effective statins (not in any particular order) are Lipitor (Pfizer), Zocor (Merck) and Crestor (AstraZeneca); they are very effective at lowering heart attack risk if they are taken they way they are supposed to be. The rate of hospitalization for heart attack in statin users is 30% less than it is in those who stop their prescribed statin.

If your health care provider has recommended a statin to you, it is not appropriate for you to accept that prescription and walk out the door intending not to fill it, which a full 25% of patients do. If you’re not planning to take the prescription then say so, because at least your provider knows where you stand.

He or she may be able to answer your questions and relieve your concerns so that you change your mind about taking one of these life-saving medications. If you still choose not to take the medication, you’ll at least be offered assistance with alternatives such as diet changes, or if you prefer them your provider may be able to discuss herbal alternative with you. You won’t know if you don’t try, but it is certainly cowardly not to speak your piece.

If you do accept the prescription and start taking it, please speak to the prescriber before you stop taking it. Again, he or she is concerned about your health and safety, and should be informed of your change in medication. This is especially true if you start to have side effects that make you stop taking it, because there are alternative medications. All statins aren’t the same and a person who can’t take one may be able to take another without a problem.

There are also non-statin medications that lower cholesterol, that while less effective are still one the market for a reason-they work to some degree. If you stop because of cost you should be aware that Zocor is now available in generic form, and that all the phamaceutical companies have drug assistance programs. Your health care provider’s office can assist you to obtain the forms to apply for this assistance, but they can’t do it if you don’t ask.

Take care (and take your statin :>)

Laurie

Related Topics:

• Stroke Education Made Beautiful
• The Baby Boomer Heart: Cholesterol Rising

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