Statins and Cardiovascular Disease | Cardiologist Practical Tips. 

If only every physician could clearly express facts about the patient's treatment options like this physician, what a huge benefit to all patients! I don't believe the few minutes it would take would be problematic to the doctor.

Very good presentation. I'm on Atorvastatin after my heart transplant. No brainer.

That is an absolutely excellent and well-balanced presentation of statins, their use, benefits, side effects, and alternatives. Anyone can listen to this and learn a lot. Thank you for producing this. It is a gift to many of us who have wanted to understand more about the subject.

I don't normally comment on videos but i really couldn't ignore the most valuable information you enlightened on such a controversial topic in medicine. Just can't thank you enough Doctor sorry i mean Mr it's really a top notch high class medical consultant lecture that was .For those who are in doubt then analyse word by word this lecture and you will never doubt this topic of wether statins is a must or a myth .

A fair coverage from my perspective which is very much one of fear of statins. Low and slow is somewhat appealing to me. However, the point I want to make is that diet was completely overlooked. I asked my cardiologist one time what he would suggest along these lines. He had to think about it and then said two foods which are good. Berries and nuts. But that was it. He confessed to not knowing other dietary means of reducing cholesterol and improving heart health. So I am going to continue to do what I am doing. Sure, it might not be enough but in the end will I ever know what would I have experienced if I had gone on a statin. These lifestyle steps are : decrease use of packaged foods, cut out sugar, exercise daily, reduce stress, get a good amount of quality sleep and treasure the love I get from others and my animals. My quality of life is more important to me at 68 than my length of life.

I started on stating this week. I very got a great doctor but I wish he'd explained everything like you did . Thank you

Statins actually saved my life as they were causing me so much pain so fast, I quit all prescribed drugs 20 years ago and never turned back. True story! I lost my 30 years of work for the social security disability I was on for congenital heart disease because I wouldn't do the drug's but it was worth it in telling the pharma owned government agencies to piss off! Thank You statin drugs!

Cholesterol reduction has not moved the needle in cardiovascular 😅incidents in the last 20 years of being massively prescribed. Still about 630k-640k of heart attack death in the USA annually. My mom lived to 94.9 with a TC around 240 since they started checking it. My dad lived to 92.7 and always had TC around 225. Doctors pestered the hell out of them. They said no way. Real butter. Farm raised beef until they were over 65 years old. Farm raised chickens. Lots of garden food. Lots of exercise.

This is the best discussion of statins that I have encountered on the internet. Thank You

VERY EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIVE... BUT COMPLICATED

A great presentation, thank you. I have watched several programs on this topic but I have seen any good detail program like yours. Thank you Dr. Barlis.

You seem to be a great doctor, thank you for sharing your expertise

Excellent, have watched several times and paired it with lifestyle changes and discussions with my care team. Thanks so much.

I sure wish you was my doctor thanks for the good info and advice.

This has been the most informative, non- biased video I've every watched on this subject - I stopped half-way through to subscribe - thank you.

Thank You Dr. for providing a sense of Peace of Mind & Calming My Jitters as I embark on my statin therapy journey. It’s Greatly Appreciated!

I tried statins three times but always quit because of the muscle pain. Recently, I had a heart attack because of a blocked LAD artery and had two stents inserted. I am reluctantly trying statins again and haven't had side effects yet. Because of vestibular migraines I take 100 mgs of CoQ10 per day. I read that this helps with the muscle pain. I have found a heart attack and several strokes to be great motivators.

I quit statins. Weight gain and fatigue. Made me feel like crap. What good is it on your health if you're gaining weight, which inturn makes you depressed.

Peter thank you for discussing this subject. The only thing I would say is that all "side effects" of statins are not physical. In my case, after a triple bypass in 2001 I was put on 40mg of Lipitor daily on discharge from hospital, I went fine for two years, we moved North then my new cardiologist in Queensland wasn't happy with my cholesterol levels so he doubled my Lipitor dose to 80mg per day. Within two weeks I was waking up in the mornings feeling suicidal, depressed and paranoid. Where neither my GP or Cardiologist would accept that my complete change of psychological state, (previously always happy, positive and easy going), was due to the Statin, luckily my wife, a Registered Nurse, did some research and found similar scenarios internationally. Long story short, rather than completely stop taking Statins, which I initially did for some time to maintain sanity. Eventually I was able to try different Statins and ended up on one of I believe the oldest and original, Simvastatin, and have been back to my old self ever since psychologically at least. All that was many years and two subsequent heart attacks ago. I think that in current times the possibility of effects other than or in addition to the known physiological effects are accepted by our GP's and Cardiologists.

Balanced discussion - thank you. Wish there were more details on 'other treatments' especially for keeping inflammation in check.

Great video, hope all the doctors are like you.

I’m a family Physician in Oklahoma and I have to say one of the best talks on Statins I’ve seen. Many opponents of statins fail to address secondary vrs. Primary use of statins. The use of Statins is definitely in evolution from when I left training years ago.

Thank you Peter very clear and informative. I started statins at age 43 due to slight elevated cholesterol but the risk factor was heart disease in the family. I ensure I have a blood test annually to check LDL, HDL, blood sugar LFT etc and have self adjusted my dosage of simvastatin to 20mg every other day, so I am on 80mg per WEEK. My annual readings are within 5% +/- of normal level and sometimes lower than expected levels. I try to do brisk walks and watch my diet and avoid red meat.

Wonderful job of explaining what to consider and explore on this complex topic. Thanks.

My dr tried to put on statins. I never have had a heart attack, and I am fit at 66. She based her diagnosis on elevated LDL. I have always have had elevated ldl since I first check it in my early 30s. However my HDL and triglycerides are always better than normal. I do not have HTN either, not overweight. I am also very active, and exercised regularly. I have watched my diet most of my life too. I refused the statin, and she was very upset I am also a nurse and I know the SE, AE. Actually, I have a familial risk for diabetes with siblings already diagnosed, and I have been in the pre-diabetic realm (not anymore). Statins also increase your risk for DM by a good percent, adding to an already present risk. I am controlling my metabolism with a keto and exercise regime that is keeping me away from diabetes. With keto and intermittent fasting your LDL may go higher and that is my case. My CAC test was 0. I am not taking statins for LDL elevation. I wish there were more drs like you that sees at the individual not only at "evidenced based medicine umbrella."

I've on a station for some years now. I hear that you have thorough and in-depth knowledge about stations. I'd like to have a bit more info before asking my doctor about the station I take. I'd like to know, in your perspective if there can be circumstances when reducing a station does could be advisable. If our bodies can get used to a station, if it's definitely needed, by a step up approach to dosage--as you seemed to say, can the dose also be lowered in a step wise fashion. Looking forward to hearing from you on this. Thank you.

Very balanced and measured discussion. Thank you.

So verrrrry good and helpful keep being honest

I never felt any symptoms. And my cholesterol is high but listening and learning about states. I will start my meditation in the morning.

Thank you so much for this video. It has cleared up many doubts that I had. Many thanks once again..

Thankyou doctor ,this was a fantastic talk to explain about stating.

Dziękuję za tak jasne wyjaśnienie!

Thank you for this video which is very informative and has helped me to understand what statins are and how helpful they can be. This video is not one-sided but addresses the pros and cons.

Clear, concise and helpful - thank you Peter.

Thanks for more clarity on statins. My Dr started me at 10mg of Crestor. I struggled with side effects, so my next visit, he suggested I could try a different statin. I then asked about a lower dose, and that is what he did 5mg. I could tell that it was working as my BP dropped by 20. I also noticed I no longer felt the pressure in my chest. I can no longer feel my heartbeat. I do have some side effects but at a low level. If I had not started using aspirin about 30 years ago, I probably wouldn't be here to tell of this experience. I am now 71. Thanks again

Thank you, Doctor, for explaining Statins to us🙏

Very good thanks

This video presents more questions than answers.

Great Video On This Topic.

I have been on Crestor for 10 years. All my Dr's are very happy with my blood work. Because of my low numbers they never felt the need to do Any cardiac imaging except echo normal and neck imaging which were slightly above normal but again no worries I'm told. Lifelong high blood pressure never completely controlled. My new GP couldn't believe my cardiologists never did stress test given my family history and HBP. Thankfully she ordered one and results were widow maker artery 80% blocked two other 70% with a calcium score of 1800 in heart arteries but normal aorta and other veins with high ischemic load. Emergency 3 stents and lipotripsey of some of the calcium, but most was stable and not a concern. Amazing procedure done through wrist, went home same day. I'm sharing this because being on a statin with great numbers aren't a guarantee of no problems and requires pushing your Dr's. Of course not being on a statin probably would mean I would have died long ago.

Absolutely I learned so much TU My Heart muscle is very weak pumping at 29-30 instead of 65 Cause so has many Extra PVC's beats in between Beats. I do very poorly w/ many Statins since 2008' plus in 2017' found that Heart attack nearly from one failed stent. I was given 4 instead. Now a Catherization is required to me in days. I am 66 years of age I also suffer from perriffphial disease of Lower limbs too

Thanks very informative and helpful, can you do a video on DAPT vs Monotherapy and the variables that would influence which one is best. Have been on Ticagrelor plus Aspirin for 7 months following ACS and PCI, and have acid reflux and cant tolerate PPI's. Cardiologist has recommended I stay on DAPT for 12 months then change from Ticagrelor to Clopidagrel, booked to see him again in April 2024, and want to ask him about Monotherapy??

I got that muscle pain and weakness within 5 days of starting a statin which took me off the stationary bike which to me defeated the purpose since I ride 5 times a week for 40 minutes for years now

excellent video

Thank you doctor, for a very clear information.

Excellent video. Thank you.

Very well described bravo ,subscribed

Thank you for the great advice.

I was over 70 slightly overweight, routinely prescribed Atorvastatin. Can I diet? "No" ... Took the Statin . . Damaged my knee tendon.. very bad cramping. Three years later on keto diet .. no drugs.

I commenced station 2 years ago after a blood test showed a slight elevation. I am on 40mg daily. My BP is stable, cardio echo, ECG and consultation with a cardiologist showed everything was good. I want to stop taking and wondered if there were any risks of just stopping.

Thanks for the info . I was just put on Lipitor 40mg ... Cholesterol 149 ! LDL 109 , HDL 31 . just had a TIA , last week . also put on Doxazosin Mesylate 4mg ... baby aspirin ... feel like a drug store ..... non smoker very little beer 2 a week , done of what may cause to take statin . blood pressure goes up when see the doctor ... other than that BP is great . low HDL is mostly likely the reason I had a TIA . So confused , so many side effects , so many " negative " and fake research .... This doc . gave the best tips and info .... Thank a lot Doc .

Small statin doses three days a week....this is valuable information rarely discussed. On one side of a table place bottles of statins taken every day for 30 years. On the other side of the table bottles of the same statin taken 3 days a week for 30 years. Which side of the table would you (and your body) chose?

A big thank you from me God bless

After being on brand name Crestor for a while one doctor switched me to Rosuvastatin for a few years. Then she gave me the Rosuvastatin every third day. When another doctor was substituting for her for about 6 months I asked him if it makes any sense taking that Rosuvastatin every third day and he said no, it doesn't make sense. While trying to understand the making sense issue I had pain and weak muscle in my legs. After about 10 years of about 6,7 pills a day with not much improvement I stopped all of them gradually. I still have high cholesterol and I'm on Gliclazide for diabetes. When I checked how those 6,7 pills a day interact with each other some did and some precipitate diabetes. Doctors keep it secret. Even cholesterol increases from taking certain medication. I found out by checking all the medication I was on. It's good to do the home work on what we put in our body.

but there's barely any cholesterol on plaques? are they're made of other stuff? platelets?

Inflammation is one of the main problems in heart health and statins lower this so it's best to take them if you have no side effect's .

When my doctor put me on statin my cholesterol went down amazingly.

I had 3 stents placed in my coronary arteries. I had high cholesterol(inherited) on was on statins for over 25 years and have run 4 times a week for over 35 years. Still I got blocked arteries but statins change the hot plaque burden to a more concrete type of cholesterol which is less risky so Statins are vital. Luckily the exercise created collateral arteries and the statins turned the soft plaque into calcified plaque which is a good thing. I had zero symptoms but got a calcium CT scan score and it showed the issue. Now after quick recovery I am still on the statins, Clopidogrel(plavix) and an aspirin. I have improved my diet removing ALL junk food and lost even more weight. My BP was always normal. Diet will help but if you had hereditary factors that typical means that your liver is making most 80% of the cholesterol so hence need for statin and reducing simple sugars reduces inflammation which is now seen as just as important or even more important than just the cholesterol number. Hope this helps. BTW I feel really great

With several risk factors but no events, I never had side effects with anything before Atorvastatin. After twice trying that one, the first time was over several months, it felt completely deadly to me - likely causing myositis in me. My doctor switched to Pravastatin and I've had no side effects since. Wondering if you can tell, by the difference in chemistry, why one is perfectly tolerable, in my case, while the other isn't?

@heartmatters Thank You so much for this information Doc. Amazing channel. I'd be so grateful if you could answer this question. I have heart disease. 4 moderate blockages in 3 arteries including my LAD (FFR 81). They nearly stented me but decided there was just enough blood flow not to. So Im on high dose atorvastatin. I know I was/am close to an op - can statins keep things stable for decades given I have already gone plant based and reduced my cholesterol by 40% in 6 weeks, or must I resign myself to the fact that because I am so close to the grey area I will most probably need an operation in the future. ie. Can statins actually keep thigs stable or where they are for decades. That is my question. Thank You so much for what you do

my doctor wouldn't scan my carotid artery, he said I didn't have enough risk factors. WFT. They want me to have a stroke before they scan basically. How can I get one?

Also it depends if it's oxidized and big and fluffy or small and hard cholesterol .

You say that statins are essential in both primary and secondary prevention. Can you cite published studies with absolute risk numbers? I haven’t seen benefits greater than a few percentage points when you look at absolute numbers. The NNT of statin for secondary prevention is 39.

Thank you Dr ♥️! Helpful

Listening to this because I have little confidence with my primary doc who proscribed provastatin. Doc does not know I have diagnosed as Ckd person and does not know my BP readings are often into 200 plus or 180-190s. One hospital doc said I had heart problems. And then, there are too many rumors of loss of memory. Plus I have significant neuropathy. Ouch! And I do not have cooking fac in my senior center. So I cannot control my diet well.

4 weeks on statins. Crestor. Thyroid pain now, feel lazy and low energy, muscle pain. Sucks

What is your take on this injectable drug called Praluent 150mg ever other wk

I took statins for a while and had consistent brain fog and tremendous muscle and joint pain which all went away 72 hrs. After getting off them. I will never use statins again.

After a great stress test and my cholesterol being ok my doctor sent me for some test that showed some calcification. That's when he said I should go on a statin. I have had body aches that I never had before. I was wondering if it was the way I was working out. I am 70 and very active. This started over a year ago. I stopped taking them about a week ago and the aches are going away. Wondering if it is dangerous?

Thank you for your thoughts.

As a add on there is no cure for agent orange. Once you have it you can't get ride of it. i'm in my 74th year and all the credit for my longevity goes to GOD most of my Vietnam friends haven't been as blessed

We are worried when big business is involved with profiting from our ill health

Im on ketogenic diet, and If, omad. eating healthy, low carb , high fat ,mod. protein, I refused statins, as DR Eric Berg, states the ketogenic Diet, raises cholestrol. I noticed, you never mentioned reduction of COQ10 in Mitochondria taking statins ?

hello doctor and thank you ihad heart atac 5 months ago stent 2 i have folowed guid line of yours test showed 10 days ago all normal but i have high bp and fluctuating some chest pain would you helpe out sincerly yours akbar 67 years old

The problem is this .. people in general cannot see middle ground .. each individual doesn't have the same problems or start off with the same markers to base a decision from ... statins clearly reduce inflammation in some people who have tried everything and it isnt enough.. myself i don't use it to lower cholesterol levels .. i use a small dosage to reduce inflammation .. but trying to explain that to most and you get the typical response that they will disable me because they experienced 40mg and i take 2.5 .. 3 times a week .. its apples and oranges ..

Brain matters as well. Statins harm brain. But first of all statins are barking at wrong tree. As statins only reduce total volume of cholesterol delivered by LDL transporters no matter whether the transporter delivers large volume or small one. Large particles are not dangerous for veins, but the serum tests are 60 years behind the science and lead to only one findings "high volume of cholesterol is delivered by LDL" thence "we need to use statins to lower it", no matter whether most of it is in large benign particles and only a small percentage in small dangerous particles. First the historic serum testing methods need to be replaced with up to day methods, because currently you can have a patient with a low volume of cholesterol delivered by LDL , but in small dangerous particles so he/ she has the highest level of atherosis induced ischemic or hemorrhagic illnesses . One surprising solution is to eat more animal saturated fat that increases sizes of particles of cholesterol delivered by LDL. Another solution that has to be combined with the first one is to go low carb to prevent insulin resistance which leads to higher levels of glucose in blood serum and thence to inflammations and to damages of LDL transporters which are then becoming smaller and oxidized and very dangerous to veins.

Thank you Sir.

Individual tailored everyone is unique and different for some people statins may be able to help with others it may not help at all and sometimes can make it worse so what is the optimal choice?

Brilliant informative very interesting content and coverage insight into something I am now taking. Afternoon having a life changing Pfizer Booster Vaccination Jab in October 6th 2021. Since which I have been diagnosed with heart problems, which I didn’t have prior to having this vaccine. I am now on 6 tablets a day including a statin.

What about being put on a statin if a high CAC score is determined? A utube Dr. Berry just posted a video stating lowering your ldl is increasing the risk of all cause mortality. My dr saw my high CAC score and wants me to start a statin. Now totally confused 😢

Are you taking Statins? LISTEN TO THIS. Very good.

I’m #wfpb and my ldl cholesterol, was 70mg/dl (2mmol/L) I went on a low dose statin and ezetimibe and ldlc is now 30mg/dl(1mmol/L). Over 3 years my soft plaque has regressed by 40% and my arterial age is now 45 (I’m 65) I love my rosuvastatin. I also run 6mi/day. You’ll have to force my statin from my cold dead fingers … but I doubt that’ll be for another 40+ years. People don’t realize that atherosclerosis affects blood volume to arms, legs, liver, kidneys, brain (vascular dementia) … small vessel,disease is a silent killer .. without good blood supply to all parts of your body life won’t be fun. At 65 a recent ct angiogram showed zero calcified plaque (CAC) and “no vessel,disease” … happy days.

Are there any randomized, controlled trials that are not conducted by the ones selling the drugs? I'm not interested in studies by the sellers, historically skewed for profit!

More and more ppl are taking the drugs but are there any statistics to show less and less CVD cases, or the reverse?

My cholesterol was alway very good towards the liver end of the scale I eat a well balanced diet I am extremely active and my heart attach was generic from my maternal family My cholesterol is now to low to register a reading and I’ve had muscle pains for several months after a year of 80mg atoravostatin Why am I on statins ?

Chuck the Statins in the bin!! Relative Risk vs Absolute Risk is what should be considered, and then tell the patient to stop eating sugar, seed oils and processed foods. The true indicator of CVD are Triglycerides - get these low and one's LDL-C, being unharmed by sugar, will cause zero damage to ones CardioVascular System.

I was put on 10 mg of crestor almost 20 years ago. Had severe muscle and joint pain. Finally saw a Dr that tried to take me off of the statin. My cholesterol level shot up over 300. The Dr tried 5 mg a day. Pain subsided, but still there. My cholesterol level dropped within days. And, a few months later had dropped very very low. I now take 2.5 mg a day and my bad cholesterols level is below 100. My Dr has tried several times to wean me off the statin, but each time my cholesterol level shoots very high. Is there any way to successfully get off of this statin? I am 69, overweight, stopped smoking 12-15 years ago, and eat a vegetable, fish, and chicken diet.

is it true that statins have no effect on low density (small particle) LDL? the LDL that causes plaque?

Would have liked a comment on keto diet. My cholestérol is up after stopping 40 mg rosuvastatin for 3 months after décades. After 2 1/4 years of keto and weight loss and BP normalcy off ARB/diurétic! TC/LDL aproximately 300/200, but HDL 80, TG 75, HBa1C 5.7. I don’t want statin for primary prévention, diabètes accélération, muscle risk, and neuro risk!

Excellent talk by the honorable specialist!

The problem is that a doctor will prescribe a statin, and even after a decade or more passes by, they never take the patient off even when they are fine and healthy. It's basically a permanent lifelong drug. They prescribe it and then forget about it for life.

Well explained video I was prescribe losartan 50mg and atorvastatin 20mg 5 months ago and then started to have chest pain and I still have them now I’m taking lisinopril 10mg and rotuvastatin 10mg I’m going to try taking them mon, We’d, and Friday .

In cases of aortic stenosis/bicuspid aortic valve where the patient has normal cholesterol levels, what is the real, documented risk improvement realized by low-level statins?

My husband's massive heart attack has saved his life. He has a life style change. He is constantly learning and reading. His Triglycerides are about 80 and in next test we hope will be much lower since his we eat very little sugar and carbs. Can he stop taking statins? He does have a stent. He has been loosing weight and exercising appropriately . His cardiologist will probably say no. Yet we read so much books such as "Stay off My Operating Table " by Dr. Philip Ovadia and "A Statin Free Life" by Dr. Aseem Malhotr and articles we watch videos. We both are very dedicated to improving his live and never again having another HA. So he must have statins for ever?

When I got my prescription halved the night mares stopped and my sleep pattern returned I was getting about 1-2 hrs only also my thinking because more clear and diarrhea stopped

I was on statins went totally off them muscle cramps were horrendous as a retired naturopath i decided to research natural treatment for cholesterol after much research i set up my own regime and did the same for some friends the results were positive i personally will never take statins again ,there are natural alternatives that have been tested and trialled with positive results,but the choice is entirely up to you

I had a heart attack and stents due to elevated Lipoprotein a. I am vegan don't drink dont smoke and was running at the time of my heart attack. I was life flighted and had 2 stents. This hapoened in April this year right after i turned 54🙄

I have ischemic heart disease and my doctor has stopped my statins my fear is will my cholesterol and heart disease get worse

I went to a new GP my blood results were high around 340 put me on 5mg. another blood test went down about 100 , now on 10mg. Next blood work in 3 months lol I’m doubting being on these ! I quit drinking and also started Zoloft at the same time ! Really don’t think I need a statin , no heart attack or stroke , my Grand dad had a heart attack at 85 , my Father is still alive no heart issues ! My Mother passed in her sleep at age 82 , both parents were obese , and ate lots of surger

My doctor raised my dosage from.20 to 40grms now my blood sugar has gone up