What you should know about: Statins
Statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world, because they are effective at lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or unhealthy) cholesterol levels. Elevated LDL levels are a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. But there are many opinions about who should take statins. Some cardiologists believe statins should be prescribed to people with mild heart disease risks. Others feel statins should be reserved only for those with moderate or severe heart risks.
Controversy
What's right for you?
Dr. Deepak Bhatt, a cardiologist with Brigham and Women's Hospital, says the issue comes down to risks and benefits, though he emphasizes that people with established cardiovascular disease involving plaque buildup in the arteries should be on statins, provided they don't have a documented allergy to the drug. "The higher the level of cardiovascular risk, the greater the benefit," he explains. "Patients with mild risk factors are still likely to benefit, though the degree will be less. And while statins are extremely safe, we actually don't know if there might be serious side effects that only emerge after decades of use."
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