Again, let's die by taking statins! Tell your parents: When taking statin medications, touch these 4 things less
Lao Liu, 52 years old this year, has been taking statins to control his condition since he was diagnosed with coronary heart disease a few years ago.
Some time ago, I went to the hospital for a follow-up, and the results were quite gratifying, the low-density lipoprotein dropped to 1.7mmol/L, and the aminotransferases and creatine kinases were quite normal.
In fact, Lao Liu has always been worried about the side effects of statins, and seeing that the results of the re-examination are very good, he stopped the drug after returning home.
Unexpectedly, not long after stopping the drug, Lao Liu felt that his chest was tight, holding his breath, and sometimes there would be bursts of blackness in front of him.
One day, he fainted directly at home, and his family found out and rushed him to the hospital.
When I arrived at the hospital, after examination, the doctor said that Lao Liu had an acute myocardial infarction, and despite the doctor's best efforts, Lao Liu still failed to survive......
With the high incidence of cardiovascular disease, statins are widely used, but how should we use them safely and scientifically?
01
Statin + healthy life may prolong the life of people at high risk of cardiovascular disease!
Cardiovascular disease is not only the leading cause of death worldwide, but also a major threat to the health of mainland residents.
According to statistics, about 18.6 million people die from cardiovascular diseases every year, while in the mainland, the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases in 2020 was as high as 48% in rural areas and 45.86% in urban areas.
The threat of cardiovascular disease is especially acute for people who have or are at high risk of hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
A study published in the United States Journal of Preventive Cardiology followed 1.6 million Chinese adults between the ages of 35 and 75 over a long period of time, of whom about 265,000 were identified as at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
The study found that people who consistently took statins and maintained a healthy lifestyle had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
The definition of a healthy lifestyle includes not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, engaging in physical work, and eating a balanced diet.
In the study, those who met three or more health habits had the most significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
Statins are widely used for their excellent ability to regulate blood lipids, but studies have shown that in addition to lowering blood lipids, statins have multiple benefits of improving blood vessel function and preventing cardiovascular disease.
In addition, studies from JAMA Network Open also showed that people who regularly used statins had a 74% lower risk of liver cancer, a 15% lower risk of new liver disease, and a 28% lower risk of liver-related death.
These findings further demonstrate the value of statins in clinical applications, especially for men, people with diabetes, and people at high risk of hereditary liver cancer.
02
Are statins too side effects too big to cause kidney failure?
Statins are mainly metabolized by the liver and less than 10% are excreted through the kidneys, so they have minimal direct impact on the kidneys.
This also means that in most cases, statins do not cause kidney damage.
However, some common side effects of statins include muscle aches and weakness, which can progress to rhabdomyolysis in rare cases.
It is a serious condition that can affect kidney function because large amounts of muscle contents enter the bloodstream.
In fact, it is very rare to have severe muscle symptoms accompanied by a significant increase in creatine kinase.
In addition, some patients may experience elevated aminotransferase levels, which is often due to increased metabolic activity in the liver.
It is important to note that a slight increase in aminotransferase levels is not a direct indicator of hepatocellular injury or necrosis, but may simply reflect alterations in metabolic activity.
According to the latest consensus in 2024, if you experience any of the following conditions while taking a statin, you should stop taking the drug immediately and seek medical help:
1. Elevated aminotransferases more than 3 times the upper limit of normal may indicate severe hepatocellular damage;
2. Creatine kinase levels more than 4 times the upper limit of normal, especially with muscle pain or weakness;
3. Total bilirubin is markedly elevated, which may alert liver lesions or biliary obstruction.
03
During the period of taking "statin", touch these 4 things less
1. Fried food
Fried foods contain high amounts of saturated and trans fats, which can increase bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the body, thereby counteracting the effects of statin medications.
Long-term consumption of large amounts of fried foods may not only lead to poor blood lipid control, but also may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. Grapefruit
The furanocoumarin contained in grapefruit can significantly affect the activity of some drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver.
For patients taking statins, grapefruit consumption may cause abnormally high concentrations of the drug in the blood, increasing drug toxicity and triggering potentially serious side effects.
3. Animal offal
Animal offal, especially liver, contain high levels of cholesterol.
For patients who are using statins to control their blood lipids, excessive consumption of high-cholesterol foods can counteract the lipid-lowering effect of the drugs and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages
Alcohol can increase the metabolic burden on the liver, affect liver function, and may exacerbate the hepatotoxicity of statins.
In addition, alcohol can interact with statin medications, causing side effects, such as muscle pain or abnormal liver function.
When taking statins, we must strictly adhere to dietary contraindications.
Let's work together to maintain a healthy lifestyle, cherish life, and stay away from cardiovascular disease.