While statins reduce cholesterol, they’re not without risks. A doctor unveils a health risk that might change the game for cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Heart disease and stroke claim nearly one-third of lives in the United States, standing as the principal cause of death and disability. The traditional culprit, high blood cholesterol, is typically combatted with statins, known for their efficacy in lowering the risk of heart-related conditions.
Yet, there’s an emerging concern in the medical community, highlighted by Dr. Eric Berg, regarding these widely-used cholesterol medications. Dr. Berg suggests that, contrary to their intended benefits, statins could potentially exacerbate cardiac issues.
In a surprising twist, “bad” cholesterol, long deemed the top risk factor for heart disease, may be overshadowed by another more critical biomarker.
Dr. Berg points to insulin resistance as a vastly more significant threat, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease by an alarming 540%, a stark contrast to the 38% risk elevation attributed to “bad” cholesterol.
Dr. Berg, sharing his insights on his YouTube channel, says: “This blows me away because I don’t even know if doctors look at insulin resistance as a biomarker or risk factor at all.”
Doctors often recommend statins to those at an increased risk of cardiovascular events, aiming to manage cholesterol levels.
Yet, there’s a growing concern presented by Dr. Eric Berg, who claims these medications may inadvertently set the stage for insulin resistance. He notes a considerable amount of research suggesting a link between statin use, insulin resistance, and even diabetes.
“There are many, many studies showing that when people take statins, they can develop insulin resistance and even diabetes.
“So the very treatment to prevent heart attack could end up worsening a heart attack because of insulin resistance.
“Anything that increases insulin resistance is not a good idea when you are trying to prevent a heart attack.”
Dr. Berg advises patients to discuss these findings with their healthcare providers to broaden their awareness beyond just ‘bad’ cholesterol levels.
Statin Usage Guidelines
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force along with the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have set forth guidelines that do not mandate statin usage for every individual with heart disease. Instead, they identify four primary groups who may benefit from statin therapy:
- Individuals without heart or vascular disease but with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease and a high 10-year heart attack risk. This includes those with diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, or smokers with a 10-year heart attack risk of 10% or more.
- Those with a history of cardiovascular disease caused by arteriosclerosis, including past events such as heart attacks, strokes due to blood vessel blockages, transient ischemic attacks, peripheral artery disease, or operations to open or replace coronary arteries.
- Individuals with exceptionally high levels of LDL cholesterol, typically defined as having LDL levels at or exceeding 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L).
- Adults aged 40 to 75 with diabetes and LDL cholesterol levels ranging from 70 to 189 mg/dL (1.8 to 4.9 mmol/L), particularly if they show signs of vascular disease or possess heart disease risk factors like hypertension or smoking.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises that adults aged 40 to 75 with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and a minimum 10% risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event within the next decade should consider low to moderate doses of statins.
Maintaining a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle is Essential Irrespective of statin usage, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle remains critical in lowering the risk of heart disease.
To minimize your risk, you should:
- Stop smoking and steer clear of secondhand smoke exposure.
- Opt for a nutritious diet abundant in vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains, and low in saturated fats, trans fats, refined sugars, and salt.
- Increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior.
- Keep your weight within a healthy range.
Should your cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, remain elevated despite these lifestyle modifications, discussing statin therapy with your healthcare provider might be worthwhile.
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