More than 2,000 Brits could have heart attacks or strokes after quitting statins over side-effect fears
More than 200K Brits gave up statins after fears of potential risks of heart disease drug
MORE than 2,000 Brits could have heart attacks or strokes after they quit statins amid fears of side-effects, a study says.
Hundreds of thousands gave up the cholesterol-busting pills after a series of articles which questioned their effectiveness and raised potential risks such as muscle damage.
The controversial reports followed a decision by NHS rationing body Nice to recommend statins be prescribed more widely.
Around 219,000 came off the pills from March to September 2014.
But experts say one in 100 of these people is likely to suffer potentially preventable heart attacks and strokes over the next ten years.
Study author Prof Liam Smeeth, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said reports on the debate may have focused too much on a “minority view about possible side-effects”.
He said it had dented public confidence in a drug most experts think safely combats heart disease.
The British Heart Foundation accused journals of printing controversial views to sell magazines, which they deny.
Doctors’ leaders say patients should not quit statins without first talking to their GP.