General Chat

Unbelievable,isnt it??? What are we surpose to think or do,risk heart attacks and strokes or risk Parkinsons! I do wish they wouldnt publish these things until they had conclusive evidence,it just worries people and it is not necessary. Roxanne

Last Updated: Monday, 15 January 2007, 00:37 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Do statin users risk Parkinson's? By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News Statins are used to lower cholesterol Statins are used by nearly 2m UK people to prevent heart attacks and stroke by lowering harmful blood cholesterol. But US scientists are concerned after a small study found people with low cholesterol upped their risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Now the University of North Carolina team is to study 16,000 people to see if the link is real and causal. If it is, a surge in Parkinson's cases is imminent they say. But experts argue statins may in fact protect against it. What evidence? Indeed, Dr Xuemei Huang's group discovered themselves that people on statins were less likely to have Parkinson's disease. Their study, published in Movement Disorders, included 124 patients with Parkinson's and 112 of the patients' partners, who acted as controls. I'm definitely concerned which is why I'm conducting a prospective study of 16,000 people Researcher Dr Xuemei Huang They found that patients with lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels were more than three times more likely to have Parkinson's than those with higher LDL cholesterol levels. Paradoxically, those on statins were less likely to have the condition. Dr Huang says this could be because those who develop Parkinson's have had low LDL cholesterol all their life and so have never needed to take statins. She told Chemistry & Industry that past studies linking Parkinson's with a gene (apoE2) associated with lower cholesterol support her theory that low LDL is the culprit. Because statins lower LDL cholesterol, the concern is they may trigger Parkinson's. Dr Huang said: 'I'm definitely concerned which is why I'm conducting a prospective study of 16,000 people.'

Blimey... where does that leave me. I am on statins and my father had Parkinsons Disease. I'm with you Roxanne... I do wish they wouldn't publish these things until they are sure of their facts. Jean x.

I'm on statins as well and i have high blood pressure!! all hereditry!! i have been on a low fat diet for 20 years and my cholestral is very high!!!! now something else to worry about!! Hi Roxanne!!!! hope you are ok Love Helenxx

Yes and Im on Rosovastatin which has lowered mine to 3.5 but if I may get Parkinsons thats another worry. Dx

I'M the same as Dave B. Rosovastatin Crestor 20MG have 3 other tablets for high B/P 3 Inhales so i can breathe LOL i could go on but i wont and i agree with you why do they have to say anything until their sure. it just makes people worry. hazelx

If you don't lose weight you die, if you don't do this, you die, well we all die sometime no if's and buts, so I wish the so called experts just leave us to get on with our lives the way we want to. I say live your life to the full while you can.

O eck!!!!!!! OH is on statin I've got a movement disorder, Dystonia. if he gets Parkinson's- what a couple we're going to make,pmsl Caz

I ALLREADY HAVE GOT PARKINSONS IT'S NOT VERY NICE I CAN TELL YOU

Gwen.....I know what a terrible disease Parkinsons is. My father suffered with it for years. Not only is the disease awful... at the time my father had it, the side effects of the tablets was dreadful too. I don't know if the medication has improved since then. Jean x.

Hi Gwyn, Im sorry you have this awful illness,I know how it can affect people((hug)) Roxanne xx