Doctors Want More People Watching Their Cholesterol
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- More people could soon be put on drugs meant to lower cholesterol, thanks to new guidelines from the American Health Association and The American College of Cardiology.
The groups are recommending statins for four high risk groups -- patients with cardiovascular disease, those with a bad cholesterol reading of 190 or higher, patients between 40 and 75 years of age with Type 2 diabetes, or those with a 10-year elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
Doctors say statins are critical to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
However, some cardiologists worry the statins will be over-prescribed putting people at risk of side effects, like muscle and joint pain, liver problems, and memory loss.
