The StatinsRevolution

Doctors have an amazing new weapon against high cholesterol levels and the problems they can bring.

• Statins are a group of drugs that can be used to reduce cholesterol.

• Statins work by stopping the liver producing as much cholesterol.

• Patients also need to keep to a relatively low fat diet as well for the best effects.

Here are some different opinions about these exciting new drugs

Drug Company Rep

• We are delighted with the results we are getting with statins.

• We have got data from several really large, powerful research trails involving over 30,000 patients.

Drug Company Rep

• The trials all show similar results.

• Using a statin drug can lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke by 25% to 40% - and we didn’t find too many side effects.

GP Doctor

• Some people just can’t get their cholesterol balance right by changing their diet.

• It doesn’t matter how hard they try.

GP Doctor

• I’ve been very pleased with the results using statins.

• Almost all my patients have now got healthy cholesterol levels.

GP Doctor

• What’s more, we have lost far fewer people to strokes and heart attacks since we started using the drugs.

Patient

• I’m so pleased with my new medicine

• The pills have brought my cholesterol levels right down and I’m feeling really well

Patient

• I’m very worried about the possible side effects with these new tablets

• The leaflet said they can cause liver damage.

Patient

• I know my cholesterol levels were very high without the tablets…

…but I think I’m going to stop taking them.

• I don’t want my liver to rot!

Patient

• The great thing about these new statins that the doctor’s given me is that they control my cholesterol for me.

Patient

• It’s back to the cream cakes and chips for me - and I won’t have to worry about my heart!

TASKWrite a short report on statins for the health

page of your local paper