Do you know one in three Americans dies of heart disease or stroke? The Federal Drug Administration approves seven types of statins as medical treatments: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, and pitavastatin. These statins help control low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein levels.
Many studies show that statins are effective in reducing the risk of heart failure by as much as 30%. However, conflicting studies surfaced stating the potential link between statins and Dementia. So, do statins cause dementia?
In this article, we will explore the latest research and provide an in-depth analysis of the pros and cons to answer this important question. Let’s dive in!
What are Statins?
The medication classified as statins works by suppressing the production of cholesterol within your body. Through chemical interference Statins stop your body from synthesizing one substance needed for cholesterol production. Doctors have advocated using statins as a treatment for several years because this medication reduces the risk of strokes and heart disease.
Found in various forms, statins are also commonly combined with other heart medications for patients suffering from severe cardiovascular problems.
Is it Safe to Use Statins?
The final authority on whether it is safe to use Statins or not will always be your doctor. Before beginning or ending a medication course, you should consult your healthcare provider without fail.
If your total cholesterol exceeds 200 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre) or your LDL exceeds 100 mg/dL, you may be prescribed statins. Your doctor will also conduct additional tests to ensure the suitability of the medication for you.
Is Dementia a Side Effect of Statins?
Quite the contrary! A new research in Hong Kong investigating the relationship between statins and dementia concluded that statins actually reduce the risk of dementia by 28%. The researchers used extensive medical databases to identify the group of patients that used statins and those that did not. Statistics showed a strong correlation between regular statin use and a lowered dementia risk.
Obviously, this is a far cry from the neurocognitive apprehensions that people had about the medication. But it also serves to put any worries related to the subject to rest. It is an added advantage as statins are effective even against vascular dementia that arises due to a blockage in the blood vessels, resulting in not getting enough supply of blood into the brain. The statins enable your heart to pump blood more freely.
Can Statin Help With High Cholesterol and Dementia?
Studies have shown that high cholesterol raises your chance of becoming vulnerable to the prospect of getting dementia at a later point. The risk factor starts around the age of 40. Having high levels of LDL during your 40s, 50s, and 60s puts you at high risk of developing dementia in older age. In fact, having low levels of HDL (“good cholesterol”) during the same time period can also put you at risk of developing the disease. This is because your body needs HDL to carry out certain cognitive and metabolic functions. In this case, Statins tried to strike the perfect balance of cholesterol and reduce the risk of dementia significantly.
Cholesterol Risk Factors
The answer to – Do statins cause dementia is debatable. The increase in bad cholesterol diagnoses worldwide stems primarily from unhealthy life choices, and Statins play a significant role in controlling it. But lifestyle is a very broad term. Let us break it down into specifics:
- Poor diet: Saturated and trans fat are your biggest enemies. While saturated fat can be found in meats and dairy products, trans fat hides in ultra-processed and packaged foods like cookies or Cheetos.
- Obesity: Having poor weight management can affect your cholesterol levels. Overweight people are generally found to have extremely high LDL, which puts them on a near-certain prognosis of heart disease and also dementia. You must maintain a body mass index (BMI) below 30.
- Lack of exercise: When you exercise, your body produces more HDL which helps your system while you simultaneously lose weight through exercise along with combating the negative diet effects. You can also engage yourself in brain exercises for healthy brain functionality.
- Smoking and alcohol: These habits lead to multiple diseases, not just cardiovascular problems alone. Stay as far away from them as possible!
- Age: With time, your liver becomes less potent and struggles to remove LDL from your body. This happens around the age of 40. While children are also known to have high levels of bad cholesterol, the risk factor increases significantly with age.
Conclusion
Do statins cause dementia? The latest research backs the use of statins to alleviate cardiovascular symptoms without worrying about dementia risks. Statins have been shown to lead to lower dementia occurrences in the population. Furthermore, high cholesterol levels are linked to an increased chance of developing dementia at an older age. While the biggest risk factors for dementia include genetic and environmental conditions, taking good care of your heart’s health goes a long way in minimizing the risk.
To combat these perils, people are advised to seek professional help while also taking good care of their diet and exercise schedule. Remember, good health starts with you!
Shore Pines provides assisted living for senior citizens, including Memory Care, Respite Care, and Hospice Care.
