House Call: Should I Stop My Statins?

You've probably heard of Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor. You may even be taking one of these cholesterol-lowering drugs, which are known as statins. They are the most commonly prescribed medication, and for years, they've been touted as the best way to manage cholesterol.

Now top Harvard cardiologists are questioning current cholesterol guidelines. The data to support this claim isn't as solid as we thought, and we are now seeing that statins can cause some serious side effects, such as:

• Muscle pain, damage, and aching
• Mitochondrial damage
• Type 2 diabetes
• Neurologic problems such as memory loss
• Sexual dysfunction

Watch or read this week's House Call with me, Dr. Hyman to learn more about the health risks associated with statins and to find out how you can lower your cholesterol naturally. Learn more about how to take care of your heart in a way that supports your health rather than damages it.

Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, MD

[kennedyland]

I'm 74. A year ago, when my doctor suggested statins, my cholesterol had bounced to 240. I had an idea why that happened. During the pandemic, I got into the habit of eating eggs and bacon for breakfast. Comfort food. So, rather than start statins right away, I stopped eggs, bacon, and other high cholesterol foods, switching to nuts, granola, salads, chicken, and fruits and vegetables. When I went back to the doctor my cholesterol had fallen to 201, but the doctor still wanted me on statins. I argued that since my numbers had gone down almost 20%, I should simply continue what I was doing. She insisted. So to stop her preaching, I took them. Then after four months, I decided it was absurd. I quit statins, and feel wonderful. When on statins, I was tired, I would break out in rashes, I slid into an enigmatic depression, a paranoia, and - frankly - I felt like I was in an odd fog. After I quit, I could feel the change within two days. My skin cleared up, I had energy, my sense of humor returned, and I feel a strong sense of optimism. Also, I continue to eat well. Eat right, exercise, and enjoy life. It's a one way highway, so enjoy the ride.

[laurelbozman]

I'm on statins and am constantly exhausted. Thank you for this information.

[jeneviebrown]

While I was on Statin medication I suffered terrible pains in my legs at night

[panatypical]

One doctor says one thing, another doctor says another. I'm about to run away from all of them.

[carolcoates]

I've already stopped taking simvastatin. Muscle cramps and aches in my bones, especially my ribs, prompted me to do some research. The cramps have since decreased.

[StanSnaps]

I stopped taking Statins I felt better immediately, joint pain muscle pain headaches stopped, my head feels clearer.

[johannesvanhoek]

Cholesterol is not the enemy here, sugar is !

[Lana-gpfj]

Thank you so much Dr. Hyman. Your straight-shooting information is greatly appreciated!

[erwin]

My dad were on statins and died of heart attack. While grandma and Aunt who took LIPITOR and the likes for years. They never had a stroke or heart attack but died of liver cancer, diabetes and other complications. Grandma was bedridden for 6 months and was on oxygen with lots of pain..

I was on statins since May 2017. It came with depression, mood swings, low stamina, low energy, unrefreshing sleep. Stopped it a week ago and went natural with acv, ginger, garlic, lemon and honey mixture. Why I believe in that concoction works? It cleared my mother-in-law's clogged artery. And an acquaintance of mine said the same thing. Now i feel a lot better and my wife who has hi blood pressure is feeling better as well..

[dmana]

No thanks to Statin. I don't want to take the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease from them. Our brain needs more cholesterol than previously thought, so it's not always a good idea to keep cholesterol level within 200. We supposed to focused on reducing inflammations, not cholesterol. :-)

[iconcanadian]

No no muscle pain is experienced by ALL statin users not 20%

[SSArcher]

How long does it take for exposure to statins to result in muscle damage? How long to recover from muscle damage once statins are stopped, comparatively?

[realeyes]

Aw, Dr.Hyman, you are one of the smartest men on Planet Earth! Thank you for such dedication and wisdom. Much appreciation!

[ffas]

I am on Statins and want to quit them. I have that bad Muscle Pain especially in my legs that everyone is talking about. Its pretty bad at times and my energy has been sapped out of me. They want me to exercise and there are days I barely have the strength to do more then do little walking around my property anymore. I am 68 years old about to turn 69 years old in 2 months. Back in late January 2018 at almost 67 years old I went in for my normal 6 month check up and my EKG came back not looking good. Never before this did I have a problem with my heart that I knew of. Had some problems at 63 years old and was diagnosed as having Type II Diabetes, High Cholesterol, and High Blood Pressure. I was put on Metformin for the Type II Diabetes and the Generic Simvostatin for my High Cholesterol. I was also put on High Blood Pressure Medication. Before that I wasn't on any medication barely taking a Aspirin or Ibuprofen for anything and pretty much stayed away from doctors other then my Dentist that I see twice a year. Getting back to the January 2018 6 month check up. That same day I was sent to see a Cardiologist Group because my Primary Doctor said he was worried at the time that I would have a Heart Attack. To be honest with everyone I felt great that day. Went to see the Cardiologist within 2 hours and he didn't see anything wrong giving me another EKG. He also put me on the Echo Cardiogram Machine and said everything looked good. Just 3 years before my Primary doctor had me go for a Echo Cardiogram done by the same cardiac group and everything looked good according to them. Well the Cardiac Group said to be safe that they wanted me to take 2 new tests during the next 2 weeks. First they had me do a complete Echo Cardiogram the first week and I pass it with no problem. The 2nd week they sent me for a Nuclear Stress Test and that one I failed being they found blockages in my Arteries. Right away they put me in the hospital and scheduled me for a Angioplasty the next day. 45 minutes or so later when they were done I was told that they were sorry they couldn't help me that I needed at least 5 Stents and they won't give a person that many. They said I had the same disease that killed comedian John Ritter that my heart was fine but the arteries feeding it blood were mostly clogged. They then made arrangements to send me to another hospital for Open Heart Surgery. 3 or 4 days later I was give 6 bypasses using veins from my left leg. Back to the Statins. A few months ago my Primary Doctor took me off of Simvostatin and put me on Atoryastatin 20mg. It made my legs ache even more. Most recently instead of dropping my Statin completely I am taking it every other day and I can notice a difference already in lesser aching pain in my legs. I don't know what to do next. Should I continue as I have been doing the last 2 weeks or drop the statins all together? Sorry for the lengthly post trying to explain my situation.

[patrickdean]

I was put on statins 2 years ago and with in weeks I had shocks going through my body and lots of palpitations collapsed twice, and over the last 2 years I've had problems with my heart and last month January 2020 I had to be fitted with a pacemaker, I had no heart problems before I took statins and many other problems with muscle waste and weaknesses, I am definitely sure it is the statins.

[Romans.]

What about the doc answering the questions that a lot of people are asking from him, I feel he has left people high ad dry by not answering them in the comments section.

[juanjosecapa]

Yes! thank you for your vid! i read about it on Grain Brain with Dr Perlmuter, but its always great to have a doctor say that on a video. they dont treat the cause but rather symptoms, and not even in the right way.

[LindyFordNutritionWellness]

Thank you for this valuable info, Dr. Hyman! Lindy Ford, RD, LDN

[rixpix]

do you stop taking them properly and safely? Did I miss something? ???

[dylankrid]

These videos are great but I am am a healthy 19 year old that eats plenty of greens and little to no processed sugar and isn't on any mess, I would love it you did a video on changes for reaching peak performance athletically and mentally