Statin usage is on the rise, with the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Care (Nice) reporting that in October 2024, around 5.3 million people in the UK were using statins or cholesterol-lowering medications in the previous year.
This figure has nearly tripled since 2015/2016, now reflecting almost 10% of the nation’s population. Likewise, statin usage is also increasing worldwide.
Doctors prescribe statins primarily to prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death globally. These medications lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—the “bad” cholesterol that contributes to artery clogging—by aiding the liver in cholesterol production and blood extraction.
While statins effectively prevent heart attacks and strokes, there are still questions individuals have before commencing treatment.
Consider inquiries like: If my cholesterol is high, should I take statins? Could I improve my condition through diet and exercise first? What side effects might I experience when I start taking statins?
The answers to the first two questions are ultimately the same: the decision rests with you.
How to Determine if Statins are Right for You
The choice to begin statin therapy should be made alongside a healthcare provider, considering not just cholesterol levels, but the overall risk of heart disease.
This involves evaluating other risk factors such as blood pressure, family history, and even geographic location.
As Julie Ward, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, explains, your physician will use all available information to calculate your individual cardiovascular risk score.
“Once we have that cardiovascular risk score, we can initiate a discussion on measures to reduce that risk,” Ward states. “It’s about individuals [doctors] or pharmacists communicating, ‘This is your cardiovascular risk. We recommend starting you on a statin.’
The initial conversation may focus on lifestyle modifications, such as healthier eating habits and smoking cessation. You can assess your risk with an online calculator like this one. A higher 10-year risk score indicates a greater likelihood of needing to discuss statin therapy.
After a few months, you may visit the calculator again to see if your risk has changed, and perhaps determine that your risk is low enough to pursue dietary changes and exercise instead. But what if the recommendation for statins remains strong?
Statins are Safe and Effective
It’s natural to feel apprehensive about starting a potentially lifelong medication.
However, scientific research may provide reassurance; ample evidence highlights the effectiveness of statins in preventing heart disease, says Professor James Shepherd, a Health Data Scientist at the University of Oxford.
“Statins are arguably the most studied medication in medical history,” he points out. “Numerous clinical trials have examined their effects.”
Additionally, researchers have compiled the results of numerous trials to bolster the evidence surrounding statins.
For instance, in 2015, researchers from Cochrane, a distinguished medical review publisher, synthesized data from nearly 39,000 individuals who participated in 296 trials assessing Atorvastatin, the most commonly prescribed statin.
Their comprehensive review revealed that taking atorvastatin for up to 12 weeks reduced LDL cholesterol by 37-52%, depending on the dosage.
What’s the impact of statins on the risk of death from heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues? The answer largely depends on individual circumstances.
A recent review from early 2025 indicated a risk reduction ranging from 20% to 62%, with higher percentages for individuals in high-risk groups. This represents significant savings for medications costing less than £2 (around $2.50) per 28 tablets.
However, it’s essential to understand how to interpret numbers for your own decision-making.
In large-scale trials, efficacy is often expressed in relative terms, indicating the difference compared to those not taking statins.
As Shepherd emphasizes, “For real-world treatment decisions, the absolute risk is what matters most.”
For example, if a statin reduces the risk of a heart attack by 20%, a patient with a 1% absolute risk (or cardiovascular risk score) sees their risk drop from 1% to 0.8%.
In contrast, those with risk scores above 10% can realize significantly greater benefits.
read more:
Side Effects Vary
While we know statins are effective, what about the negative aspects related to side effects?
“Previous reporting has skewed public perception,” reveals Ward. “Yet, research demonstrates that side effects are minimal, and statins are well-tolerated by most patients.”
This is supported by findings from Shepherd and his team, detailed in a 2021 study that reviewed side effects across 62 trials involving over 120,000 participants, revealing only “a small number” reported issues.
Approximately 15 out of every 10,000 individuals experienced muscle pain and related symptoms, while liver, kidney, and eye abnormalities were even less prevalent.
When patients discontinue statin use, it is often linked to side effects. So, what’s behind this?
A different 2021 study suggests that the perceived side effects may be associated with the act of taking medication rather than their actual occurrence.
In that research, 60 participants received a month’s supply of different medications—some statins, some placebos—without knowing which was which. A year later, researchers noted more symptoms as patients were taking medication compared to nothing at all, with 90% of those experiencing side effects from statins also reporting symptoms while on the placebo.
Adjusting Dosage or Medication
If you encounter side effects, it’s essential to communicate these with your doctor instead of just enduring them.
For instance, atorvastatin can be prescribed in doses ranging from 10 to 80 mg per day. Side effects are often dose-dependent; hence, 80 mg is more likely to induce issues than 10 mg, though a lower long-term dose is usually possible.
“If someone has high cholesterol, they may start at 80 mg,” explains Ward. “If they’re managing well in a few months, we might lower it to 40 mg, and potentially down to 20 or 10 mg later on, transitioning to a maintenance dose.”
Alternatively, switching medications can also be effective. In the UK, five different statins are available, all functioning similarly, though atorvastatin is often regarded as the most effective.
“If someone previously took a higher dose of a different statin, a doctor could prescribe atorvastatin at a lower dosage that could achieve similar cholesterol-lowering effects with fewer side effects,” Shepherd adds.
In rare cases, taking statins may lead to more serious issues affecting the liver and kidneys, which is why regular blood tests are crucial for monitoring.
Individuals with diabetes might be concerned regarding findings suggesting that statins can elevate blood sugar levels.
Nevertheless, the cholesterol-lowering benefits are believed to outweigh the minimal increases in blood glucose.
In conclusion, taking statins is a personal choice. If you have concerns, consider discussing them with a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation or explore resources on cholesterol at Heart UK.
About Our Experts
Julie Ward is a senior heart nurse at the British Heart Foundation.
Professor James Shepherd is a health data scientist at the University of Oxford, focusing on cardiovascular disease prevention. His work has been featured in General UK magazines, BMC Medical Research Methodology, and BMJ Open.
read more:
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
