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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
If you’ve been taking statins and want to stop, only do so with a doctor’s guidance. It’s possible for some people to stop safely, but it can be especially risky for others.Statins are highly effective in preventing heart problems such as heart attack and stroke. According to a 2016 review of research, statins can reduce your risk of these and other cholesterol-related problems by as much as 50%. But the review also states that stopping the use of these effective medications can double your risk of these health problems.This article details how to stop using statins safely as well as potential alternatives to stopping.It’s possible for some people to stop taking statins safely, but it can be especially risky for others. For instance, if you have a history of heart attack or stroke, it’s not recommended that you stop taking these drugs. This is because you’re more likely to have another such problem when you stop statins.However, if you don’t have a history of heart attack or stroke and you want to stop taking statins, your first step should be to talk with your doctor. They can help you find out your risk factors and whether stopping statins is a safe move for you.If your doctor thinks that you could safely stop taking your statin, they can suggest a plan for stopping that’s appropriate for your health situation. They may also suggest you try the following alternatives, before or instead of stopping statin use entirely:try a different cholesterol-reducing medicationadopt a heart-healthy diet and exercise programreduce statin use and supplement with other cholesterol-lowering medicationscontinue your statin use but take medications that can help reduce side effects, such as CoQ10Before stopping statins, your doctor might suggest changing from a statin to a different type of cholesterol medication. Changing medications can often relieve side effects.Other cholesterol-reducing medications include:ezetimibe (Zetia)fibrates, such as fenofibrate (Fenoglide, Tricor, and Triglide), which can lower LDL levels and increase HDL levelsa slow-release niacin supplement (Niacor, Niaspan), which can lower LDL levels, increase HDL levels, and lower triglyceride levelsPCSK9 inhibitor, which lowers LDL cholesterol bempedoic acid, which reduces LDL cholesterol without muscle achesYour doctor may suggest that you implement certain lifestyle changes before stopping statin, or directly in place of the medication. These changes might include adopting an exercise program or modifying your diet. Keep in mind, though, that these changes likely won’t work as quickly or as effectively as a statin in lowering your cholesterol. A healthy diet and exercise program can have many benefits for your overall health, but it may not be enough to replace the cholesterol-lowering effects of a statin.You and your doctor will closely monitor your cholesterol levels to make sure the diet and exercise
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