The Ugly Side of Statins. Systemic Appraisal of the Contemporary Un-Known Unknowns

Abstract

Cardio-vascular specialists have witnessed and actively participated in the revolutionary developments that have occurred in their field of specialization over the last few years. Cutting-edge technologies have led to dramatic improvements in life-expectancy and quality of life. An open-mind and pioneering attitude are necessary when exploring new frontiers to improve our patients' health. However, naïve indiscriminate acceptance of novel mainstream therapies is not always advisable and prudence is required in unearthing harmful, covert side effects. An objective review of contemporary vascular research was performed and industrial bias was sifted out for a fresh prospective on how to promote primary cardiovascular prevention with attainable lifestyle adjustments [1]. A comprehensive review of Pubmed, EM-BASE and Cochrane review databases was undertaken for articles relating to cardiovascular primary prevention and statin side effects with the aim of harmonising their roles within contemporary clinic practice. Particular attention was paid to large-scale randomised controlled trials on contemporary cardiovascular pharmacotherapies and their specific adverse effects on metabolic pathways which feature prominently in cardiovascular primary prevention and regenerative programmes. There is a categorical lack of clinical evidence to support the use of statin therapy in primary prevention. Not only is there a dearth of evidence for primary cardiovascular protection, there is ample evidence to show that statins actually augment cardiovascular risk in women, patients with Diabetes Mellitus and in the young. Furthermore statins are associated with triple the risk of coronary artery and aortic artery calcification. Cardiovascular primary prevention and regeneration programmes, through life style changes and abstaining from tobacco use have enhanced clinical efficacy and quality of life over any pharmaceutical or other conventional intervention.

Contribution of classical and emerging risk factors to coronary artery disease in Asian Indians

“…However, lipids did not show significant association as nearly 60% of CAD patients as against 1.6% of unaffected individuals were on statins, a cholesterol lowering drug. Therefore, even though elevated cholesterol is considered as an important cardiovascular risk factor, aggressive prescription of statins is being advocated in asymptomatic individuals having normal cholesterol levels but sub-optimal levels of the associated risk factors [37]. In such a scenario, accurate assessment of cholesterol levels poses a real challenge when the prevailing risk prediction models are applied.…”

Evaluation of the Cholesterol-Lowering Mechanism of Enterococcus faecium Strain 132 and Lactobacillus paracasei Strain 201 in Hypercholesterolemia Rats

“…[5]. However, several adverse side effects of statins, such as abnormal liver function and muscle pain, among others, have been reported [6]. Lactobacillus as non-drug therapies to lower serum cholesterol levels have attracted the attention of scientists.…”

Preliminary probiotic and technological characterization of Pediococcus pentosaceus strain KID7 and in vivo assessment of its cholesterol-lowering activity

“…Statin drugs are predominantly prescribed for the reduction of serum cholesterol level and in turn the risk of CHD. There is an increasing interest in non-drug therapies for lowering serum cholesterol and the risk of CHD due to several adverse side effects of statin drugs reported in the literature and by patients (Sultan and Hynes, 2013 ). An alternative is probiotics with cholesterol-lowering activity.…”