Statin medications include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev), pravastatin (Provachol), pitavastatin (Livalo), and simvastatin (Zocor). In men and women with a moderately elevated risk of CHD, statins reduce the risk of CHD but do not decrease overall mortality. This means that while statins decrease the risk of CHD in these populations, they also appear to increase the risk of developing other serious diseases such as cancer. Statins may give women a false impression that they can improve overall coronary health.

It is important to recognize other risk factors such as: smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and physical inactivity, which are just as critical to address. Although statins are being aggressively marketed to women, their effects on women have not been sufficiently studied; women make up less than one-third of all research subjects in statin trials. Women who have CHD experience fewer cardiac events while taking statins — which may certainly be a good reason for these women to take the drug. But, it has never been shown that these women’s overall mortality rates decrease because of statin use. According to the guidelines issued by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, women between the age of 45 and 75 at increased risk of heart disease and with relatively high LDL levels should take statins, yet the institute also explains, “Clinical trials of LDL lowering generally are lacking for this risk category.” Which indicates more research on women and statins is sorely needed before declaring that women of this risk level will benefit from taking statins to prevent CHD and other heart conditions. To read more on statins, check out an article in

According to the guidelines issued by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, women between the age of 45 and 75 at increased risk of heart disease and with relatively high LDL levels should take statins, yet the institute also explains, “Clinical trials of LDL lowering generally are lacking for this risk category.” Which indicates more research on women and statins is sorely needed before declaring that women of this risk level will benefit from taking statins to prevent CHD and other heart conditions. To read more on statins, check out an article in The Women’s Health Activist, entitled “Hold the Statins, Stat!”

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