The adverse effects of taking statins have repeatedly been under the spotlight. However, are these fears unfounded? MNT take a look at statin safety.
Despite evidence that aims to quash controversy over the safety and effectiveness of statins, uncertainty remains. Is the safety of statins as debatable as some stories suggest, or is the controversy behind this group of medicines potentially harming more people than the drug itself? We find out.
The safety and efficacy of statins has been surrounded by controversy for decades. Cholesterol is essential to keep the body in working order. However, having high levels of "bad cholesterol," called low-density lipoprotein (LDL), in the blood can cause fatty deposits to build up in the arteries. Eventually, this buildup results in the arteries narrowing and hardening (a condition called atherosclerosis), which leads to a greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
