Busting the Myths About Statins — And Why You Should Be Taking Yours

If you have high cholesterol, chances are you have been prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication, but you’ve also heard a lot of mixed messages and myths about statins. Social media, online “experts,” and even well-meaning friends often spread misinformation that causes people to worry about a medication that is, in reality, one of the safest and most effective tools we have for preventing heart disease.

Statins have been used for over 30 years, studied in millions of patients, and remain the gold-standard treatment for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. But many people hesitate to take them — often because of myths that simply aren’t true.

Let’s clear those up, and then go a step further by highlighting all the benefits of statins, including several powerful effects beyond lowering cholesterol.

Myth #1: “Statins aren’t safe.”

Reality: Statins have decades of high-quality data supporting their safety.

Statins have been evaluated in hundreds of clinical trials and large real-world studies. Serious side effects are extremely rare. For the vast majority of people, statins are not only safe but life-saving.

Myth #2: “I can control my cholesterol with diet and exercise alone.”

Reality: Lifestyle is important, but genetics often play the biggest role.

Many people with elevated cholesterol have a strong genetic component that cannot be corrected by diet and exercise alone. Statins work with healthy habits — not instead of them — to bring cholesterol down to safer levels.

Myth #3: “Statins cause muscle pain in everyone.”

Reality: True statin-related muscle pain is uncommon and usually manageable.

Only a small percentage of patients have true statin-related muscle symptoms. If discomfort occurs, it’s usually mild and reversible with a dose adjustment or a different statin. There are many statin options, and almost everyone can find one they tolerate well.

Myth #4: “Statins damage the liver.”

Reality: Serious liver injury from statins is exceptionally rare.

Small bumps in liver enzymes sometimes occur, but they are typically harmless and resolve on their own. Meanwhile, untreated high cholesterol dramatically increases the risk of artery-clogging plaque.

Myth #5: “I feel fine, so I don’t need a statin.”

Reality: High cholesterol is silent — until it causes a major event.

You can’t feel plaque building in your arteries. Often the first symptom is a heart attack or stroke. Statins help prevent these events before they ever occur.

Myth #6: “Statins cause memory loss.”

Reality: Large studies show no increase in dementia — and possible brain benefits.

Statins do not increase the risk of cognitive decline. In fact, by improving blood flow and reducing vascular inflammation, they may protect the brain in the long term.

Myth #7: “My cholesterol isn’t high enough to need medicine.”

Reality: Your overall risk matters more than the number.

Guidelines recommend statins based on a person’s cardiovascular risk — age, blood pressure, diabetes, family history, and other factors — not just the LDL value. Statins reduce risk even in people with “normal” cholesterol numbers.

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The Benefits of Statins Go Far Beyond Lowering Cholesterol

Most people know that statins lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol. But many don’t realize that statins have powerful, additional benefits backed by strong clinical evidence — benefits that help explain why they prevent heart attacks and strokes so effectively.

Here are the lesser-known, but equally important, ways statins protect your health:

⭐ 1. Statins Reduce Inflammation in the Arteries

Inflammation is a major driver of heart attacks. Statins significantly lower levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) — a key marker of vascular inflammation.

Studies like the JUPITER trial showed that people with normal LDL but elevated inflammation still benefited dramatically from statins.

⭐ 2. Statins Stabilize Existing Plaque

Even if plaque has already formed in the arteries, statins help make it more stable and less likely to rupture, which is critical because most heart attacks occur when unstable plaque suddenly breaks open. Statins strengthen the plaque’s fibrous cap, reduce inflammation inside the plaque, and make it less dangerous.

⭐ 3. Statins Improve Blood Vessel Function

Statins help the arteries work better by improving endothelial function, increasing nitric oxide availability, and enhancing healthy blood flow. This helps reduce vascular stress and improves circulation.

⭐ 4. Statins Reduce the Risk of Blood Clots

Statins decrease platelet activation and make blood less likely to form clots — the kind that can block blood flow to the heart or brain.

⭐ 5. Statins Reduce the Risk of Death — Even in People Without High Cholesterol

Large, high-quality studies (including the Heart Protection Study and multiple Cochrane reviews) show that statins reduce the risk of:

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Cardiovascular death

• All-cause mortality

And they do so even in people whose cholesterol is not significantly elevated.

⭐ 6. Statins Reduce the Risk of a First Heart Attack or Stroke

Much of the benefit of statins comes from prevention, not treatment after a problem occurs. Statins dramatically lower the risk of having a first cardiovascular event.

⭐ 7. Statins Help in Certain Chronic Inflammatory Conditions

Because statins reduce systemic inflammation, they may provide additional benefits in people with conditions like:

• Chronic kidney disease

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Peripheral artery disease

These conditions are associated with higher cardiovascular risk, and statins help mitigate that risk.

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The Bottom Line: Statins Save Lives

Statins are one of the most powerful, safest, and most effective tools in cardiovascular prevention. They don’t just lower cholesterol — they reduce inflammation, stabilize plaque, improve blood flow, lower clot risk, and prevent heart attacks and strokes. If your clinician prescribed a statin, it’s because your personal risk profile shows that you are likely to benefit — and the benefits far outweigh the risks. If you have questions or concerns, talk with your doctor before stopping your medication. Most issues are easily managed, and staying on your statin is one of the best steps you can take for long-term heart health.

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About Cardona Direct Primary Care & RefineMD Aesthetics

At Cardona Direct Primary Care, Dr. Cardona and Dr. Garland provide personalized healthcare, including direct primary care, obesity medicine, and aesthetic treatments. Dr. Cardona is board-certified in both family medicine and obesity medicine, with a special interest in medical weight loss. Dr. Garland is also board-certified in family medicine and is a certified medical marijuana provider, focusing on skincare. Located in Jacksonville, FL, we are dedicated to prioritizing you. Contact us at 904-551-4625 or visit our website at www.cardonadpc.com to learn more and schedule your appointment today!