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Is It Suggestible To Stop Statins For Decreasing Cholestrol Levels Of A Heart Stroke Patient?
Question: OVER 5 YRS AGO MY HUSBAND HAD A STROKE AND STARTED ON STATINS.
THIS FAMILY DOCTOR INSISTS THAT TO TRY TO SEE WHAT HIS CHOLESTROL
LEVEL WOULD BE IF HE WENT OFF STATIN DRUGS WOULD BE XXXXXXX
EVEN FOR 2 MONTHS. HIS TOTAL CHOLESTEROL IS 153, TRYGLYCERIDES ARE 119 AND LDL IS 90.HE NO LONGER EATS MEAT, EXERCISES DAILY, HAS LOST
25 LBS AND HE HAS ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDING MEMORY PROBLEMS
THAT THE DOCTOR FEELS IT IS STILL BETTER NOT TO TRY WITHOUT STATINS QUALITY OF
LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HIM THAN THE PROBLEMS HE HAS ON ALL HIS
MEDS.
Brief Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM
Detailed Answer:
I wouldnt say it would be XXXXXXX to stop statins for 2 months,even for longer. It will not cause some acute blockage of arteries. Statins are still of questionable efficiency. it is true that it decreases risk of cardiovascular disease, but just slightly and in combination with all other drugs. Healthy lifestyle is much more important for vessels health. His doctor should determine cost-benefit of statins and if there are unpleasant side-effects,he should switch to another antilipemic drug or stop it completely and have regular lipid check ups. If his lipid levels will be unchanged after stopping statins,then it means that it is not necessary.
WIsh you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
THIS DOCTOR IS A OLDER FAMILY DOCTOR. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A YOUNGER
DOCTOR WHO MIGHT BE MORE UP TO DATE AND WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR
WOULD BE THE BEST....CARDIO....INTERNIST...ETC. THANK YOU
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
usually familly medicine doctor can deal with hyperlipdiemia and other methabolic diseases. but if you are concerned about his knowledge you should seek opinion from cardiologist although cardiologist will probably prescribe plenty of medicine for him and I doubt it is neccessary. Nothing will happen if antilipemics are stopped and it should be stopped if there are side effects,there is no doubt about this. Antilipemics should be prescribed only when blood lipids cant be regulated by lifestyle changes.
Atherosclerosis is caused by many factors and blood lipids has influence on it but very small influence comparing to smoking,obesity, blood sugar and genetics.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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