How long do you have to be on cholesterol medication?

After starting a statin, it takes about six weeks for cholesterol levels to stabilise, so most doctors would re-check your cholesterol after about eight weeks. You should have a check-up at least once a year or more often if your doctor thinks it is necessary.

What happens when you stop taking cholesterol medicine?

Stopping your statin has been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular events (like heart attack) and death in patients with coronary artery disease. In a recent 8-year study, more than half of patients stopped their statin believing they were experiencing a side effect.

How can I avoid cholesterol medication?

Lifestyle changes

1. Exercise if you can.
2. Eat more fiber.
3. Eat healthy fats: Healthy fats include olive oil, avocado, and certain nuts.
4. Limit your cholesterol intake.
5. If you smoke, consider quitting.
6. Limit your alcohol intake.
7. Get to a healthy-for-you weight.
8. Check your levels.

Are statins lifelong?

Taking statins is often (but not always) a lifelong commitment. Even if your cholesterol levels decrease, you may still need to take the medication. Otherwise, your levels will likely go back up once you’re off the meds. However, if you change your lifestyle significantly, you may be able to go off the medication.

Is it OK to stop statins for a week?

You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks. If you forget to take your dose, do not take an extra one to make up for it. Just take your next dose as usual the following day.

Can you stop taking statins Once you start?

Therefore, most people who begin taking a statin medication will likely take it for the rest of their lives. If you’ve been taking statins and would like to stop, you’ll need to do so with your doctor’s guidance. This is because it can be dangerous to stop taking statins.

What happens if I don’t take my statins?

Doctors often prescribe a fibrate for patients who can’t take a statin. Like the statins, fibrates reduce the body’s cholesterol production, but they are less effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. In other areas, though, fibrates actually have the edge.

Do statins make you age faster?

Statins do have side effects, all medication does to some extent. And some of those side effects reported could also be deemed to be signs of premature aging. Memory loss and weakness or fatigue are both listed under ‘uncommon side effects’ on the NHS website.