Statins Home
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| Cholesterol Doctors is not a replacement for your GP. Everyone should see a GP about blood pressure and cholesterol every two years. |  |
Simvastatin belongs to a group of drugs known as statins which lower cholesterol. This reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
Coronary Heart Disease arises from fatty deposits inside the arteries, which supply blood to the heart. It includes heart attack and angina (Heart pain).
Statins reduce heart disease risk by reducing low-density cholesterol, sometimes called bad cholesterol, and by increasing high-density cholesterol, sometimes called good cholesterol.
Two out of three adults in the UK have cholesterol above the desirable level of 5.0. Evidence suggests that there are benefits in reducing cholesterol whatever the starting point.
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On average simvastatin10mg taken daily reduces bad cholesterol by 27%, reducing coronary risk by 30% after three years. The benefits of taking Simvastatin start within a month of beginning treatment. Coronary risk is reduced by 10% after one year. Different groups of people in the UK are at different levels of risk for heart disease. Men are at higher risk than women. Men of South Asian origin are also at higher risk, as are people with a family history of heart disease. |  |
The site assessment identifies people likely to be at moderate risk of coronary heart disease and offers them Simvastatin 10mg. This allows people a choice to take a statin where they would not normally qualify for treatment on the NHS. People at higher risk can still get statins on the NHS.
The assessment also identifies people likely to be at in a high-risk group and encourages them to see their GPs. Simvastatin is not offered to those likely to be in a low risk group.
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In order to further reduce cholesterol and heart risk it is advisable to maintain a healthy low fat diet and engage in regular exercise. It also helps to set time aside to relax and enjoy life. None of these alone is likely to reduce your heart risk or reduce cholesterol as much as taking Simvastatin. The safety of Simvastatin is very well established and based on 18 years of experience. |  |
With all statins there is a very is a very small risk or serious muscle damage. With Simvastatin 10mg this risk is less 100, 000 patients, for each year of treatment.
There is also a very small risk of liver damage with Simvastatin 10mg. However this risk is so low that no monitoring tests are required.
The liver makes most of your body's cholesterol at night. For this reason, it is recommended that simvastatin is taken in the evening.
