Doctors often prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs to help people stay healthy, especially as they get older.
These medications are known for lowering the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems that come with aging.
There are a few different types of cholesterol-lowering medicines. The most common kind is called statins. You may have heard of drugs like Lipitor or Crestor—these are statins. They work by slowing down the production of cholesterol in the body.
A newer type of cholesterol drug is called PCSK9 inhibitors. These work differently by helping the body remove cholesterol from inside its cells. Both types of medicine can do a great job at lowering cholesterol, but new research shows they might come with some unexpected side effects.
For example, researchers found that PCSK9 inhibitors might affect the lungs. Scientists still don’t know all the long-term effects of these drugs, so more research is needed.
Statins may also cause some surprising changes. Some people who take statins might gain weight or develop more body fat. Statins might also lower levels of testosterone, which is a hormone that plays an important role in both men and women.
But there’s also a bit of good news. One study found that some people taking statins had an increase in the size of a part of their brain called the hippocampus. The hippocampus helps with memory and emotions, so a bigger size could possibly lower the risk of diseases like dementia or depression.
This new information comes from a study led by Kitty Pham, a Ph.D. student at the University of South Australia. Her team used genetic information to study how these cholesterol drugs might affect the body.
Genetic data acts like a blueprint for the body. By looking at this blueprint, researchers can find clues about how different people might react to certain medications.
For example, they found that people with certain genetic traits were more likely to gain weight when taking statins. Using genetics in this way is helpful because running long-term human studies can be very expensive and take many years. The genetic method offers quicker insights.
So, what does this mean for you? First, don’t stop taking your cholesterol medication without talking to your doctor. These drugs are important tools that can help protect your health. But it’s always good to stay informed about what they do.
If you take statins and notice that you’ve gained weight, or if you take a PCSK9 inhibitor and feel like your breathing has changed, let your doctor know. It might be a side effect of the medication.
Studies like this one help scientists and doctors learn more about how medicines work. They help guide better treatment plans and help people make smarter choices about their health.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about heart disease hidden and essential vitamins for heart health: a guide to a healthy heart.
For more about heart health, please read studies about the stuff in your mouth that can increase heart attack risk and statin alternative lowers risk of heart disease as well as cholesterol levels.
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