Statins

(asked on 18th July 2014) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that offering statins to more people will discourage the adoption of long-term healthy lifestyles.


Answered by
Earl Howe Portrait
Earl Howe
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
This question was answered on 29th July 2014

Earlier this month, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the modification of blood lipids (cholesterol) for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The guidance recognises the place of statins in the primary prevention of CVD. However, it does not propose that statins should be used instead of the lifestyle adjustments that people at risk of CVD need to make — such as stopping smoking, being more active, drinking less alcohol, eating more healthily and losing weight.

The guidance encourages general practitioners to fully explore with their patients the ways in which people can reduce their risk of CVD, presenting all the options promoted by NICE’s guidance, including lifestyle changes, and to allow patients to make their own decisions.

Reticulating Splines