Fake news discouraging use of life-saving statin medication: experts

In an era of ''fake news'' the statin medications are getting increasing negative publicity over their alleged health risks, according to medical professionals.

''Statins have developed a bad reputation with the public, a phenomenon driven largely by proliferation on the Internet of bizarre and unscienti?c but seemingly persuasive criticism of these drugs,'' writes Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Dr Steven Nissen in an editorial published yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

''We are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of our patients to websites developed by people with little or no scienti?c expertise, who often peddle 'natural' or 'drug-free' remedies for elevated cholesterol levels,'' adds Nissen.

According to Nissen, this ''internet-driven cult'' denies statins' benefits and raises fears of side effects, then profits from the resulting confusion by peddling snake oil.

Nissen's observations come in the backdrop of what had been taken as mostly settled science- that statin  medication can and have reduced rates of heart attack and stroke when taken by people who needed them.

Meanwhile, a study has warned that patients who stopped taking statins due to the side effects were risking their lives.

Around six million UK citizens took the drugs every day to reduce cholesterol and lower their risk of heart disease.

Statins have been proven to cut the chance of repeat strokes or heart attacks and are believed to save up to 7,000 lives a year in the UK.

However, up to three-quarters of patients are known to give up their use within two years, often due to side effects such as muscle pain, stomach problems and sleep disturbance.

Scientists have found that continuing use of the drug lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke and death by up to 20 per cent.

A major new Harvard study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, US, analysed the health records of 28,266 patients who reported side effects to their doctor from 2000 to 2011.

A year later 30 per cent had stopped taking the drug, but those who continued had a 10 to 20 per cent lower rate of heart attack, stroke and death from any cause.