Statins - "for" and "against"

Elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood are considered a dangerous condition that can provoke the development of cardiovascular diseases. To reduce the concentration of these compounds are prescribed special drugs, taken long courses. It is important for a patient to weigh all the arguments before drinking statins - pro and contra, pay attention to the side effects of these medications and possible complications of therapy.

The benefits and harm of statins for the body

The production of cholesterol has several previous stages with the development of an enzyme called mevalonate. Statins interfere with its formation at an early stage and, thus, block the production of triglycerides and cholesterol.

During medical research and experiments, it was found that the drugs in question had the following positive effects:

1. Reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood plasma (total - by 35-45%, harmful - by 45-60%).
2. Reducing the risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system, the prevention of heart attacks, atherosclerosis, strokes, ischemic attacks.
3. Obstruction of the formation of cholesterol compounds in the liver.
4. Increase the concentration of apoliprotein A and useful cholesterol.

Also, the use of statins is to improve the health of patients even in the presence of cardiovascular pathologies by strengthening and cleaning the walls of blood vessels. At the same time, these medications do not have a mutagenic and carcinogenic effect.

Despite the obvious positive side of the described medicines, recently specialists are less and less prescriptive. This is due to some side effects of taking statins:

1. Decrease in the level of not only harmful, but also total cholesterol, which is necessary for normal functioning of the body, maintaining the elasticity of blood vessels.
2. Negative effects on the liver parenchyma in suppressing the production of enzymes that precede cholesterol.
3. Rapid recovery of the former high cholesterol concentration at the termination of the course of therapy, which forces the pill to take almost all of life.

In addition to these problems, there are several other serious shortcomings of such drugs.

Dangerous side effects of statins

The most common phenomena are:

• asthenic syndrome;
• nausea;
• insomnia;
• constipation;
• headache;
• flatulence;
• diarrhea;
• myalgia;
• abdominal pain;
• migraine;
• general malaise, weakness;
• paresthesia and hypoesthesia;
• dizziness;
• peripheral neuropathy;
• episodes of amnesia;
• pancreatitis;
• cholestatic jaundice;
• vomiting;
• hepatitis;
• anorexia;
• convulsions;
• spasms in the muscles;
• myositis;
• arthritis of large joints;
• myopathy;
• pain in the spinal column;
• exudative erythema;
• rash on the skin;
• anaphylaxis;
• urticaria and itching;
• Lyell's syndrome ;
• diabetes;
• thrombocytopenia;
• hypoglycemia;
• obesity;
• peripheral edema.

Among the most dangerous side effects of statins, there are persistent brain disorders. Numerous experiments have shown that in many cases of treatment with the drugs considered, memory impairment, speech functions, cognitive and motor activity. Some patients suffer from short-term attacks of amnesia, when a person is unable to form the last memories.

Thus, taking statins is necessary only in extreme cases:

1. Ischemic disease with an increased risk of a subsequent stroke or heart attack.
2. Therapy of acute coronary syndrome.
3. Reconstructive surgery on the coronary vessels or heart.