Statin Scares: Patient's Angina Blamed on Misinformation

A patient's emergency room visit for angina underscores the critical risks associated with abandoning statin therapy due to online misinformation. The 50-year-old man, diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, stopped his prescribed statins when his LDL cholesterol stabilized, trusting garlic supplements instead. This decision led to a dangerous rebound in his cholesterol levels and subsequent arterial blockage, necessitating treatment for his condition.

Statins are vital medications that inhibit the liver's LDL cholesterol production, effectively lowering 'bad' cholesterol by up to 60%. Beyond cholesterol reduction, they mitigate arterial inflammation and stabilize plaques, proven to decrease major cardiac events. Myths about statins causing diabetes or dementia lack scientific evidence, and side effects like mild liver enzyme elevation or muscle aches are often manageable and rare, with most patients experiencing no adverse effects from long-term use.

Discontinuing statins causes LDL cholesterol to rebound, potentially worsening vascular function and destabilizing plaques, thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks. Medical professionals emphasize that patients should always consult their doctor to adjust dosages or explore alternative treatments like PCSK9 inhibitors, especially those with a history of heart attack or stroke, for whom abrupt withdrawal poses severe dangers.