Shock Statin News: Millions taking controversial heart drug unnecessarily report confirms

STATINS might not be worth suffering the side effects as it's revealed millions are taking the controversial heart drug unnecessarily. What are statins and the new updated research and news explained.

Records of nearly 800,000 people aged 60 and others over 24 years showed the drugs prescribed to reduce risk of heart disease and strokes had no effect on life expectancy. 

The only exception was for patients aged over 65 who were already at high risk of heart problems. 

This is in spite of Government-backed guidance that the drugs, linked with side effects such as muscle pain, memory loss and diabetes, should be taken by up to three million people at low or medium risk. 

The research, published in leading journal Public Library of Science last week and carried out by researchers at the University of East Anglia, warned of “over treatment”. 

Campaigning GP Dr Malcolm Kendrick said: “This is further confirmation of many independent researchers who have discovered statins have no benefit except in very small population of people at very high risk. 

“Millions taking these drugs should not be taking them.” 

Leading London-based cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra added: “This study supports the fact that there are millions of people taking statins not receiving any benefit from them. My concern is people are not being told this by their doctors, which is ethically dubious.” 

NHS watchdog Nice advises all adults with a 10 per cent or higher chance of developing heart disease in the next decade be considered for statins – meaning up to 17 million are eligible. 

Up to 10 million take them. The new research showed statins had no effect on longevity in patients over 60, unless the risk of heart disease was high – 20 per cent or above. 

It follows an independent analysis published earlier this month in healthcare journal Prescriber that concluded claims about statins had no credible scientific basis. 

This research claimed millions of patients are being misled about the pros and cons of the drugs. 

The Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Authority which oversees drug safety said: “The efficacy and safety of statins have been studied in a number of large trials which show they can lower the level of cholesterol in the blood and reduce cardiovascular disease and save lives. 

“Trials have also shown medically significant side effects are rare.”

http://www.express.co.uk/

Graham