Living Healthy 5 Heart health and statins Statins are a type of medicine that treats high cholesterol levels. Statins also reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Some examples of statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor). Statins can help people who have: ■ Been diagnosed with heart disease. ■ Had a heart attack or stroke. ■ A stent. ■ Plaque in their body. Statins are also recommended for people who may be at risk for other conditions. Examples include a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes. The most common side effects of taking statins are muscle pain and weakness. But statins are not always the reason behind muscle pains. If you are experiencing muscle pain and weakness, tell your doctor. Your doctor may have you stop taking the statin for a month to see if the pain goes away. Or your doctor may switch you to another statin or change your dose. Ask your doctor first before making any changes to your medication. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to stop. It is important to take your statin medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Pay attention to any warnings that come with your medication. Certain medicines, and even grapefruit juice, can affect how well statins work. Always let your doctor know when you start a new medication. The Alliance’s American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services Did you know the Alliance offers American Sign Language (ASL) services for Alliance members who are deaf or hard of hearing? We work hard to ensure that all Alliance members can communicate with their primary care provider (PCP) about their health care needs. We can help schedule an ASL interpreter to be present at your medical visits. To learn more about the Alliance ASL interpretation services, please call the Health Education Line at 800-700-3874, ext. 5580. For the Hearing or Speech Assistance Line, call 800-735-2929 (TTY: Dial 711).
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