Should healthy people take Statins?
Prologue
The following is a hypothetical conversation between a
pharmaceutical salesperson and a knowledgeable person:
Boy, do I have a great deal for you!.
— Whats the
deal?
In next 10 years, ten people out of 100 in your group
will get heart disease, and i'm going to fix that!
—
How?
I'm going to sell each one of you an expensive pill
that will solve all your problems!
— So no one will get
sick?
Not quite... only seven people will get
sick!
— So the pill will cure three people?
Not quite... They will probably get sick in the three years following
the ten year period...
- Well... so at least three people get to live a little longer?
Not really sure... Some of the studies don't show any associated increase in life span...
— So let me get this straight: you are
going to give 100 people a pill, every day for 10 years, so that
Ninety people who wouldn't get sick anyway, take the pill, even though it makes no difference to them?
Y e s ...And seven people who would get sick anyway, take the pill, even though it makes no difference to them?
Y e s ...Ninety seven people are unnecessarily taking a pill, so that a total of three people may have an additional 1-3 years till they get ill?
Y e s ...And it costs an arm and a leg, and has some potentially nasty side effects, and has no significant impact on my longevity?
Y e s ...— Give me a break!!!