Leading cardiologist says there are concerns over statins
Statins work by blocking the action of an enzyme the liver uses to make cholesterol. Millions of people are prescribed statins to help lower their cholesterol. It has been widely reported that statin use does affect the muscles causing muscle aches. Lesser-known side effects could include flu-like symptoms and fatigue.
Related articles
Flu-like symptoms
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health; flu-like symptoms caused by statins was investigated.
The study noted: “Myopathy in various forms is among the most prevalent side effects.
“Only few attentions have been paid to its various forms of appearance.
“We are reporting on a so far unknown flu-like response on statins with very severe symptoms of exhaustion, weakness, aching muscles and joints.
“The five patients (four males, one female) we monitored showed this response to some but not all the available statins with an onset of latest three weeks after starting therapy.
“Five weeks after statin withdrawal the symptoms completely disappeared.”
READ MORE- How to get rid of visceral fat: One food type to avoid
Fatigue
In a randomised clinical trial, researchers at the University of California at San Diego evaluated 1,016 patients who received either a low-dose statin or placebo.
The patients initially reported their energy level and fatigue on exertion at baseline.
Six months after the patients started taking statins, the researchers asked them if there had been any changes from baseline, rating their changes on a five-point scale ranging from "much less" to "much more."
The researchers found that statins were associated with both decreased energy level and increased fatigue with exertion.
DON'T MISS...
Hundreds of people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 post-vaccination [INFORMER]
Fatty liver disease: Periodontitis is a sign [INSIGHT]
Does stress cause hair loss? 5 ways to reverse the damage [EXPLAINER]