Doctor Objects to Statin Bashing

Q. As a doctor who treats heart patients, I am frustrated by your unbalanced reporting about cholesterol-lowering drugs. In your column you repeatedly emphasize the negative perceptions people have of statins rather than highlighting the benefits. These medications have a benefit to risk ratio of 400 to 1.
Muscle complaints were rare when these drugs were introduced, but now patients blame every ache and pain on their cholesterol drugs. And they tell all their family and friends about their problems. The vast majority of aches and pains that are blamed on statins are not due to the drugs themselves, but rather to mass public hysteria, fed by word of mouth and fueled by the media.
A. Many people take statin-type drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor and generic formulations (lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, etc.) without problems. These medications are very effective for lowering cholesterol.
Side effects may not be as rare as you suggest, however. A review in the Annals of Internal Medicine (June 16, 2009) states that muscle pain affects up to 10 percent of those who try statins.
You believe that most people with statin-associated muscle pain are mistaken about the source of their discomfort. Research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (July 7, 2009) reveals that many patients with muscle pain from statins have structural muscle injury identifiable in biopsies. The usual blood test for muscle breakdown is inadequate to detect this damage.
Readers who would like more information on the pros and cons of statins and other ways to lower cholesterol may wish to download our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health.