Yoga, Issues With Statins

Bob Crowther considers the recently announced new cholesterol guidelines, use of statins, and some questions raised about this class of medications. 

National news coverage has alerted the pubic and raised many questions about the use of statins to lower the risks of a heart attack and stroke.

This public media coverage occurred following the recent announcement of new cholesterol guidelines by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

Individual/family genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, increased blood pressure, unhealthy weight (obesity), smoking and peripheral artery disease are among the health risk factors - along with cholesterol - that cardiologists use to prescribe statins for patients.

Controversy within the medical community resulted from reported claims that the current calculator - part of the new guidelines - may be flawed and overestimated the risk factors of healthy individuals: statins would be recommended for millions not needing them.

This revelation has generated considerable commentary about statins including conflict of interest and absence of controlled clinical trails. 

Opinions published in the New York Times this past week document a wide range of both cautionary and critical views about statins that are worth reading. 

These brief articles have generated public commentary also of interest.  

For many years statins were recommended by cardiologists to help reduce cholesterol levels (LDL) below specific numbers - with the recent announcement, no longer would the focus be on specific cholesterol values.

Americaan Heart Association

Under the new guidelines, statins would be warranted for individuals that had experienced a heart attack and for those (ages 40 -75) with diabetes and a designated risk of 7.5% or higher.

This number would be compiled using the calculator from personal and medical data to assess future cardiovascular events including a heart attack and stroke over the next decade.

Statins, including Crestor, Lipitor and Zocir, are medications used alone or with other drugs to interfere with the synthesis of cholesterol. 

Other benefits may include anti-inflammatory properties, lowering blood pressure and reducing blood clot formation.

Muscle and joint issues, nausea and constipation are among the more common and less serious statin side effects. 

Significantly, the Mayo Clinic recognizes that statins also can contribute to serious negative side effects as well: 

• severe muscle pain, muscle injury
• liver damage
• higher blood sugar levels / diabetes 
• neurological including memory loss/ confusion (among others) 

Contact

Bob Crowther

774-272-5760

bob@bobcrowther.com

An alternative option for many individuals would entail modifying their lifestyles: to become more physically active (consider yoga), making informed nutrition decisions, to reduce overall daily stress and getting rest. 

Women and men are encouraged to speak with their doctors (primary care and heart specialists) and to ask questions about what is best for them that may include the following:

• clarify if you are among those with high health risk factors to suffer a heart attack or stroke

• inquire about whether lifestyle changes alone can lower your health risk factors and discuss available options if statin use results in serious side effects including adversely interacting with other medications. 

Become Proactive. 

 Learn more about cholesterol, stations  to help you to make informed and safe decisions.

 #Cardiovascular Diseases #Cholesterol #Statins #Yoga And Nutrition