US News article raises questions about statins

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http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/heart/2008/02/06/the-smart-take-on-statins.html Another article saying they arent for everybody and the medical community has been overmarketed to. I did not see any ads from major drug companies in this issue either, thats encouraging... A few excerpts: "There are two types of users - those who definitely need them and those who dont but are taking them anyway(thanks in no small part to effective drug marketing) The first group is made up of those with known heart disease....they will lower their risk of dying by about 25 percent if they stay on a statin for the rest of their life (my note - what does 25% represents in the absolute, how much is AN INDIVIDUAL'S risk lowered - the answer is a lot lower than that misleading

25%) The second group may have cholesterol levels that make their doctors frown but otherwise are fine.." (thats me) "...the result: doctors began treating more people with drugs (after a 2001 recommendation about healthy total cholesterol levels) - including plenty with no signs of heart disease - even though STATINS ARE APPROVED ONLY FOR HIGH RISK PEOPLE". (So if they are approved only for high risk people, isnt it malpractice to put non high risk people on them? Can trays of donuts have that much impact on doctors?) "...an LDL level of, say, 120 - which would warrant drug therapy in a heart patient - is not considered worrisome in someone without symptoms or major risks." My point - There is a table that shows if you are at low risk, you should exercise and change diet if LDL is above 160 and to consider the statins if its over 190. (my

doctor said I should get mine below 100 - with 0 risk factors and I exercise alot and eat right) "..whether women with high LDL and no heart disease derive any benefit from statins is questionable....those who take the drugs are as likely to die of heart disease as those who do not, according to a 2004 review of 13 studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. ..and 140 women would have to be treated to prevent a heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery." Overall the article stresses often the importance of exercise, balanced diet, and niacin can help adjust levels. Also 25 percent of patients prescribed statins abandon them within six months due to unpleasant side effects. They believe as many as 15% of people are having significant muscle damage - severe myopathy. (Many think the number is much higher, just not reported or attributed to statins)

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