Statins are widely used medicines that help lower cholesterol and protect the heart. Many people wonder whether taking statins can actually help them live longer.
The answer depends on your personal health, but for people at high risk of heart disease, research shows that statins can indeed add years to life.
Statins work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that makes cholesterol. This lowers the level of LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol, in the blood.
High levels of LDL can cause plaque to build up in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious problems. By reducing this cholesterol, statins help keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.
Doctors often prescribe statins to people who already have heart disease or are at high risk of developing it. Besides lowering cholesterol, statins also reduce swelling in blood vessels, help prevent plaques from breaking apart, and lower the risk of deadly heart events.
A major study published in The Lancet showed that statins cut the risk of heart attacks by 25% and strokes by 21%. That means fewer people died early from heart-related problems.
Another study, published in JAMA, looked at adults between the ages of 50 and 75 who had a high risk of heart disease. It found that people who took statins had a 10% to 15% lower chance of dying from any cause during the study period.
To put it simply, for every 100 people at high risk who took statins for five years, one or two more lives were saved compared to people who didn’t take the medicine.
Even people without heart disease can benefit. A 2019 study in the journal Circulation found that people with high cholesterol but no history of heart problems still lowered their risk of dying by about 9% over five years by taking statins. While that may seem small, avoiding heart attacks or strokes can still make a big difference in quality of life.
The biggest benefits of statins are seen in people with high risk. If your risk is low, the extra years you might gain from statins could be fewer, so it’s best to talk with your doctor before starting them.
Statins are usually safe, but some people may experience side effects. These can include sore muscles, changes in liver tests, or upset stomach. These effects are uncommon and often mild, but they should still be discussed with your doctor.
One key finding is that people who take their statins as prescribed tend to live longer than those who don’t. Taking the medication regularly is important to get the full benefit.
Statins are not magic pills, and they won’t make you live forever. But for many people, especially those at risk of heart disease, they can help extend life and improve health. By lowering the risk of major heart problems, statins can add meaningful years to your life and help you stay healthier.
If you’re thinking about taking statins or already have a prescription, talk with your doctor. Together, you can decide if this treatment is right for your personal health needs.
If you care about health, please read studies about the benefits of low-dose lithium supplements, and what we know about egg intake and heart disease.
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