According to data from the American Heart Association, an estimated 40 million adults in the United States regularly take statins to lower cholesterol levels and reduce risk of stroke.
However, according to new research, many of the individuals that take statins won’t actually benefit from them.
Neuroscientist David Diamond at the University of South Florida, reviewed literature from medical trials involving patients taking either taking a state or placebo.
This was then narrowed down to focus on study participants with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), which is often referred to as “bad cholesterol,” which can be reduced with a statin.
Some individuals with high LDL also showed to have high triglycerides, which is fat in the blood, as well as low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) which is known as the ‘good cholesterol’.
This means that they were at the highest risk of heart attack or stroke.
However, there were some individuals with high LDL who had low triglycerides and high HDL, thus meaning they were healthier.
Those with optimal triglycerides and HDL levels typically exercise, as well as having low blood pressure and low blood sugar, and are at the lowest risk of stroke and heart attack.
Two questions were asked by Diamond and his co-authors: If people are at a low risk of a heart attack based on having optimal triglycerides and HDL, but they also have high LDL, does that raise their risk? Further, would these people benefit from lowering their LDL with a statin?
Their study findings show that alone, LDL has a “very weak association” with heart disease and stroke.
Their review went further and showed that when individuals have high LDL and optimal triglycerides and HDL were to take a statin, there was no benefit.
Findings were then put into context of diet and lifestyle by Diamond, he says: “People who are not overweight, have low blood sugar, exercise and are on a low-carb diet typically have optimal triglycerides and HDL, and sometimes they have high LDL.
“Our findings show that the people who have this healthy combination of diet and lifestyle, as well as high LDL, showed no benefit from taking a statin.”
The authors also claim that their review challenges the long-held contention that low-carb diets, often which are high saturated animal fat, contribute to heart disease.
The contention has gone on for almost 50 years, dating back to when cardiologist Robert Atkins was challenged about the potential dangers of his high-fat Atkins diet before a US Senate Subcommittee on Nutrition and Human Needs in 1973.
Diamond says: “High blood pressure, obesity, smoking and high blood sugar are the primary drivers of heart disease.
“Cholesterol is an innocent bystander, and saturated fat in the diet has been undeservedly demonised.”
Diamond also acknowledges the controversial nature of his research and that it has resulted in strong support and criticism from some within the medical community who challenge his outlook on LDL and statins.
He does caution that it is intended to raise awareness and should not be considered as medical advice.
The interest Diamond has in the association between LDL cholesterol and the risk of stroke and heart disease is because of personal reasons.
Earlier in his life Diamond was diagnosed with high triglycerides and low HDL.
He was told by his doctors that he was at high risk of developing heart disease and was told take a statin in order to lower his LDL cholesterol.
Instead of taking the medication Diamond began his study of diet and heart disease.
For those who chose to take medication rather than make diet and lifestyle changes, Diamond says: “People who take a statin might not appreciate that they’re a little less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, but the adverse effects of the statin may cause them harm.”
