Statins

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The statin that more than doubles dementia risk

Statins are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol. Almost half of all Americans over the age of 75 are taking them. But while it may seem like a no-brainer to take a medication your doctor says will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, it could actually be your brain you’re risking…

Carolyn Gretton

The statin that raises your risk of diabetes and cataracts

Doctors often prescribe statins to help lower cholesterol. However, they come with a laundry list of worrying side effects, including a higher risk of dementia, kidney damage and muscle pain. Now we’re finding some statins can increase the risk for diabetes and cataracts…

Joyce Hollman

Newer cholesterol drugs linked to reduced lung function

Statins have been controversial almost from the get go. After years of use, the list of side effects has grown along with the number of Americans diagnosed with heart disease, despite the drugs. Enter a new class of cholesterol drug, but is it the same old story?

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Nexletol for cholesterol: Blockbuster or just bust

Nexletol® is a fairly new cholesterol-lowering drug. It works through the same enzymatic pathways as statins, but affects a different part of the pathway and doesn’t share the same side effect profile. It’s been touted as a great alternative for patients who can’t tolerate statins. But is it?

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Men’s heart health: In your 60s and beyond

Although a heart attack may seem to come “out of the blue,” the substrate that enabled it to happen has been building for decades. But the more risk factors you can keep under control, the less likely you’ll have a heart attack in the future. And it truly is never too late to start…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Do statins hurt kidneys?

Can statins hurt your kidneys? My answer is a bit complicated. As a doctor, I could provide three observations right now, not necessarily pointing in the same direction. But let’s start with diabetics, those with established heart or vascular disease and those with familial hypercholesterolemia…