Statins for heart may cost you your memory

After a heart attack & quadruple bypass surgery in 2010, a man began taking a cholesterol-lowering statin at the maximum dose. Soon, he began experiencing memory problems. “ thinking & remembering became so laborious that I’d not even recall my 3 digit telephone extension or computer at work” he said.

His doctor suggested a ‘ drug vacation’ & when he stopped taking the statin for 6 weeks, the problems disappeared. Then he tried a different statin, but the cognitive difficulties returned.

Statins are the most prescribed drugs in the world & there is no doubt that for people at high risk of cardiovascular problems, the drugs lower not only cholesterol, but also the risk of heart attack & stroke. But for years, doctors have been fielding reports from patients that the drugs leave them feeling ‘fuzzy’ & unable to remember small things & big things, like where they left the car, a favourite poem or a recently memorized presentation. Last week, the FDA acknowledged what many patients & doctors have believes for along time- statin drugs carry a risk of cognitive side effects. The agency warned users about diabetes & muscle pain.