Why have I been provided with this information?
You are receiving this information as it was noted you may benefit from a cholesterol lowering medication.
Why might I benefit from a cholesterol lowering medication?
Even if your cholesterol level isn’t high when checked, there is good evidence from medical studies that with certain conditions, having your cholesterol level as low as possible is beneficial. This can include people with underlying heart disease, diabetes, previous strokes, chronic kidney disease and certain other long term conditions.
What are the medication options?
The most common medication prescribed is a statin, such as atorvastatin. Statins are a group of medications that help to reduce cholesterol and in some cases can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 25%. Statins are designed to be taken every day and are very safe medications. However as with any medication, occasionally side effects can occur.
For people who do not tolerate statin medications, or would prefer something different from a statin, there are other options available including ezetimibe, bempedoic acid and in certain cases more specialised medications such as inclisiran or PCSK9 inhibitors.
What about lifestyle options?
Lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, exercising and not smoking definitely help, however even with a normal cholesterol level, there is evidence the statins can still reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes.
What if I don’t want medication?
The purpose of this communication is to inform you that you may benefit from taking a medication, however it is fine if you decide you elect not to. By letting us know , we will make a note of your wishes in our records. We do like to re-offer the medication annually so we will likely contact you in another 12 months to give you another opportunity to consider.
What if I do want to take a medication?
If you do want to take a medication to reduce your cholesterol, we will ask one of our clinical pharmacists to contact you to discuss this. They are experts in discussing and initiating the medication and would be able to prescribe the medication for you.
How can I inform you of my decision?
If you are reading this after having received a electronic message (for example text message or e-mail) you should be able to access the questionnaire attached to that message, which allows you to let us know your preference. Alternatively you can contact us via our website or phone the surgery directly to let us know.