People with high LDL cholesterol levels, but otherwise healthy, would not need to take statin therapy.
- LDL cholesterol promotes the deposition of lipids on the walls of the arteries, that is to say the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
- According to the authors, statins can cause cognitive impairment.
Cholesterol is necessary for the body, but becomes dangerous in case of excess. This phenomenon has a name: hypercholesterolemia. Statins are one of the treatments used to lower cholesterol levels. But according to a recent study, published in the scientific journal Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, these drugs would not always be helpful. The authors, scientists from the University of South Florida, conclude that people with high LDL cholesterol, nicknamed bad cholesterol but otherwise healthy, do not benefit from statins.
It’s possible to have high bad cholesterol and still be healthy
The researchers analyzed several medical trials conducted on statins. In the different samples, all participants had high LDL cholesterol. Some also had high levels of triglycerides, the fats in the blood, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good cholesterol“, which puts you at higher risk of heart attack. Conversely, other participants had high LDL, but low triglycerides and high HDL, markers of good health.”People with optimal triglyceride and HDL levels usually exercise, have low blood pressure and blood sugar, and have a low risk of heart attack.”explain the researchers.
A healthy lifestyle just as effective as statins?
This observation raised two questions in the research team: “SIf people are at low risk of heart attack due to optimal triglycerides and HDL levels, but they also have high LDL levels, does this increase the risk? Also, would these people benefit from lowering their LDL with statin therapy?” Based on their findings, the answer is no. “Our results show that people who had a healthy diet and lifestyle, as well as high LDL levels, experienced no benefit from taking statins.”details the main author of this study David Diamond, neuroscientist and researcher in cardiovascular diseases.
Statins are sometimes unnecessary
According to him, statins can be beneficial for people who are overweight and diabetic because, in addition to lowering LDL, these drugs block excess clotting and inflammation, two known risk factors for heart disease. But for others, lifestyle changes may be enough: quitting smoking, resuming physical activity, rebalancing food, etc. In France, theHealth Insurance recalls that it is necessary and that it can make it possible to “normalize blood cholesterol and triglycerides” and make taking medicine”useless”. “High blood pressure, obesity, smoking and high blood sugar are major drivers of heart disease“, continues David Diamond. “Cholesterol is an innocent bystander.”
