Experts say statin success may discourage patients from losing weight, fueling obesity crisis
- About 8 million Britons take statins to lower cholesterol
- Effective protection against heart attack may distract from weight loss
- This makes them more susceptible to heart failure, fatty liver disease, and arthritis
Statins and blood pressure pills may contribute to obesity. Because they work so well, experts warn that some patients may no longer try to lose weight.
About 8 million Britons take statins to lower their cholesterol, and up to 9 million take drugs to lower blood pressure.
But the protection against heart attacks and strokes that the pills provide could distract people from taking steps to deal with their expanding waistlines, claims a provocative article in a medical journal. There is
Statins and blood pressure tablets can provide decades of longevity.
However, those who are overweight and live longer because of such drugs are at increased risk of a long list of obesity-related ailments such as heart failure, fatty liver disease, and arthritis.
Statins and blood pressure pills may contribute to obesity, but they work so well that some patients may no longer try to lose weight, experts warn (file image)
An opinion piece in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology argues that modern treatments mean many diseases are “less dreaded than they used to be.”
Lead author Naveed Sattar, Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, said:
“It is a great success that people are living longer so that someone who might have died of a stroke or heart attack at age 60 can live to age 75.
“But if weight is not discussed, the person can end up with multiple health problems partly related to being overweight and dozens of different medications.”
But the heart attack and stroke protection the pill offers may distract people from taking steps to deal with their expanding waistlines (file image).
Over the past 40 to 50 years, people in high-income countries such as the UK have gained an average of 10 kg (1st 8 lb) weight, and about two-thirds of adults in this country are overweight or obese. increase.
Evidence suggests that people with a BMI over 30 and classified as obese have a 12-fold increased risk of suffering from multiple health conditions compared to people of healthy weight.
Professor Sutter said, “When someone is taking blood pressure medication, it’s a great time to think about their lifestyle. We need good health policies.
Dr Sonya Bab Narayan, Consultant Cardiologist and Assistant Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation, said:
If these are recommended by your doctor, it is important that you continue to take them.
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