I worked for two companies who researched, developed and promoted Statins, from the first study which was called, "The 4S study" The trial started in 1987 with 4444 patients and lasted 5 years. The beneficial effects of Statins was proven beyond doubt, subsequent studies involving tens of thousands of patients worldwide re-inforced these findings. to the extent that latter studies were stopped mid point as they had no benefit to the placebo group.
Statins have been available for over 10 years and it is wonderful news for potential Coronary Risk patients that the NHS is undertaking preventitive treatment.

Tom Edwards, Burnham-on-sea,

It's nice to know that the NHS has all this money available for prevention, although sad to think that there is none left over for actually curing people.
It is irritating, though, to be told that preventing one type of death saves any money all since the inevitable burden of treatment simply transfers to a different cause of fatality. It could even cost more if a fatal heart attack is prevented but the result is a chronic debilitating illness.

Will ASBOs be issued to those declining the test??

Mike Poulsen, Reading, Berkshire

The colour blind disease and lack of balanced spectral balance in Earth terms is a disaster for the light and Labour Reds are showing international errors so obvious over the last century.
The queers and lack of female family role is death by election loss and more generations alive will not give children CARE nor old folks support.
The idea of Afro and Asians increasing the European population % is another elephant.

Dr MI Barton MA. MBA, Oxon, UK

Don't believe the hype, I had been happily taking Atorvastatin for several years but when I moved to Hertfordshire from London my medication was switched to Simvastatin. I consider this to be an inferior medication but it was done on purely a cost basis, yes its cheap and I would say "nasty" shortly after starting to use Simvastatin I developed pain in my left arm at the elbow. I then started to wake up with cramp in fingers and realised what was going on when the joint pain moved over to my other arm as well!! Well done West Hertfordshire PCT you have made my life a misery over the past few months because of your financial problems!! I have been told its almost impossible to sue the NHS without deep pockets or believe me I would!!

Graham Wharton, St. Albans, UK

It would be better for most of these people to eat a bowl of proper porridge every day! Cholesterol binds to the oats while its in the duodenum and is consequently excreted.. lowering cholesterol levels in the body. Duh!!! Go research it.

Le Chip, London, UK

Atherosclerosis, despite the misinformation spread by the pharmaceutical companies and a number of physicians, is not a disorder of elevated cholesterol levels. Rather, it is a disorder caused by inflammation.
Five major statin drug studies show an Absolute Risk Reduction in total mortality of 0.3% .
Most people are not informed of the side effects such as depletion of CoQ10 which can lead to congestive heart failure, extreme muscle weakness, suppression of the immune system, risk of cancer, problems with memory, and even death.
Adhereing to the cholesterol myth is akin to crossing a two way street while looking in only one direction; you are bound to get run over.
It is important to have the following lab studies done for evaluation of the risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke; Liproprotein (a); Homocysteine and a C-reactive protein.
There is significant evidence supporting health benefits and prevention of disease by using supplements and proper diet

Victor Herlacher, M.D. , Laguna Niguel, California

Reading such articles on 'Health' makes me realise that the 'National Health Service' is truly the 'National Sickness Service'

Come on lets get healthy and positive and get rid of stress and have music - have a life don'r push drugs my way please.

Having practices medicine for 30 years i the UK I'm a little tired of the drug pushing medical fraternity.

Meenoo, newcastle,

NO NO NO NO!!!!! Statins are not a help they are lethal! In the short term they reduce cholesterol but they also destroy the good cholesterol, the stuff your body needs to metabolise food into energy. It also plays havoc with your thyroid gland then you are in real trouble. Why? Because most doctors are reticent in treating thyroid conditions unless they are life threatening, trouble is that a thyroid condition (Hyper or Hypo) can destroy your life.
Take it from someone who has experienced the fuzzy thinking, the disorientation and the panic attacks from taking statins. They are not the wonder drugs people think they are, they are just more chemical mess - ups for our bodies. Do a search on the internet and read some of the medical information about statins, you will feel very sick!!

Glynis Jones, Birmingham, England

LEAVE ME ALONE
Being alive is not a medical emergency, if I need help I'll ask for it.

(Aren't the drugs companies doing well under Labour?)

RW, Leeds, England

My mother recently began to take statins after several years of haranguing by her health visitor - she had to stop after just 4 days when the cramps in her legs became so bad that she was unable to walk to get to the loo. She told me that that was the last time she was going to listen to the "bloody silly nonsense that that health visitor comes out with".

Andy, Bristol,

Interesting indeed but there was a fuss recently about the NHS pushing a 'cheap' version of statin which was said to be much less effective by some lading and named heart specailists.

Stafford Waters, Glasgow,

Emma from Canada refers to high and low doses - what is a high dose?

Stafford Waters, Glasgow,

I have been on simvastatin since I had my heart attack aged 42. It has helped reduced my cholestoral and helped me live longer combined with aspirin and atenolol for blood pressure
There are side effects which need to be explained to patients but doctors seem reluctant to go into these.The possible side effects are stomach upsets such as constipation,diarrhoea,flatulence,indigestion,waekness,headache,dizziness,numbness or loss of sensation in arms and legs,hair loss,rash,itchiness,liver disease,muscle disease presenting as pains and aches,tenderness,weakness or cramps.Allergic reactions include joint pains,inflamation of same,unual bruising,skin eruptions,swelling,hives,skin sensitivity to sun,high temperature,flushing,breathing difficulty,and tiredness. Also you cannot take these tablets if you are on certain antibiotiics which doctors need to be aware of. Another concern is if you have kidney problems.No drug is a wonder drug.Sensible fat intake seems to bethe answer

Raj Ahya, Uxbridge, Middx

Statin drugs = pain+cramp+unable to stay in bed as if having been hit by a truck - takes weeks for the drug to go once you stop eating statins. So slim, do not eat much fat, walk, swim, bike and do not smoke. Not more than one bottle of good red wine a week, light cheese, steady with the nuts and chocolate only on your birthday!

Russell Paul, Cadalen, France

I too have been taking statins for about six years, I've been fine on them with no side effects. My cholesterol has been less than four for a couple of years now which makes me feel at less risk because I was put on them due to my family history of heart problems and deaths. I'm delighted to read that many lives could be saved as well as saving loads of money for the NHS.

RayB , newcastle upon tyne, UK

Statins in high dosages have been shown to affect brain function and memory. However, statins in low dosages have been shown to siginificantly reduce cholesterol while not causing brain damage. I suspect low dosages for short terms combined with diet and excercise is the safest way to use them.

Emma H., Ottawa, CAN

i have been taking statins for 6 years without any side effects.this has been monitored on a search programe at the radcliffe hospital oxford

norman grainger, durham, durham

Dr Patel is right - there is nothing new here.

What needs much closer examination are the side-effects produced by this so-called wonder drug. In my own case it enhanced pre-existing problems with depression to such an extent that I stopped the drug after a few months.

Tom MacFarlane, Blackpool, UK

I believe this to be a break-through. However, why hasn't the article described the side effects, if any. If this truely is a 'wonder drug' it will certainly be the best thing sinse the proverbial 'sliced bread', particularly as Britons are notoriously unhealthy eaters. My ownly concern is my remeberance of the wonder drug for pregnant women - Thalidomide, which was prescribed to many thousands with disasterous results.

Anthony Carroll, Grimsby, United Kingdom

We are already doing this when appropriate. We've been doing it for years. However, we counsel patients with our best advice, and it is their decision whether they feel they want medication for life.

Just more spin from a media-crazy government

Dr S Patel, London, UK

i HAVE TAKEN STATINS FOR 10 YEARS NOW AND THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE TRULY HORRENDOUS!!! THE WORST SYMPTOM IS BODY ACHE!!

SALIM AHMED, BRADFORD, west yorks u.k.

Read the Great Cholesterol Con, friends of mine have suffered from taking Statins.

Michael, Bridgwater, UK

Are the NHS prescribing statins because of peoples lifestyles
or heredity reasons?

Robin, Farnham,

I have suffered serious side effects of statin drugs, some of which have not corrected a year after stopping the medication. There seems to be very little in the press about the side effects and risks involved with statins.

Damaged, Cheshire, England

Like all drugs, statins have side effects, some of which may require further research. Whilst there are headline benefits in reduction of heart disease incidence, there may be little overall gain if that is accompanied by increased risk of other conditions, such as liver or brain damage.

The time span required for any long term problems to emerge and be quantified means that mass users could be acting as guinea pigs.

dr venables preller, Warminster, UK

In order that people might live longer in the penury of the state pension ?

Ubi, Edinburgh,

What happened to the systematic screening for bowel cancer and the kits that were going to be sent to everyone in their 60s?
That programme appears to have been quietly abandoned. No doubt, having raised the NHS profile as " a good thing" for a bit, the same will happen to this idea.

Michael, London,

We're fast becoming a nation of hypochondriacs with a morbid interest in our health. If we took preventative measures for every health risk, life wouldn't be worth living, to say nothing of the cost to the NHS. Exercise, fresh air, and a balanced diet would work wonders for the citizens of Britain. Healthy eating coupled with moderate exercise would solve many of our problems.

Malcolm, Hayle,

That the screening should be done on each person over number of years , also look closely at the results in usa,(as usa has been useing this for around 10 yrs) to see % of patients who get side effects, and see whether the side effects out weigh the treatment also overweight patients, should be pushing cure for there overweight before and dureing the taking, of statins, as they will be most at risk from the side effects.

dr j d rose, torrington, uk