Be wary of new cholesterol guides

The much-hyped new cholesterol guidelines place less focus on high-risk numbers for heart disease, but signal increased sales for statin drugs (“UI professor helps draft new cholesterol guidelines,” Nov. 16).

Doctors will now be urged to double the number of patients (15 percent to 30 percent) qualifying for such drugs to lower bad cholesterol. In a one-size-fits-all approach, conventional medicine has assumed that HDL and LDL cholesterol must be within certain numerical ranges or one falls into high risk for heart disease.

However, Internet research reveals cholesterol is a relatively recent medical concern, that high cholesterol is one of many possible causes of heart problems, that guideline numbers were lowered in 2004, and numbers were linked to “artery clogging foods” containing cholesterol.

Now there is a new push to prescribe statin drugs even more. But cholesterol is natural and necessary for bodily function and elevated numbers may be the body's response, for example, to inflammation.

Research also showed at least six decision-making members of key committees for the new guidelines have financial ties to major pharmaceutical companies that profit much from sale of statin drugs.

Amid medical disagreement, do the benefits outweigh the risks? Risks associated with statins cited in numerous lawsuits include diabetes, rhabdomyolysis, cardiomyopathy, damage to the liver, kidneys, muscles and immune system plus other side effects.

Dear reader, for your own health, research the facts, form your own conclusions, and negotiate a reasonable plan with your doctor.

Tim Bickel

Cedar Rapids