Heart disease and strokes are Britain’s biggest killers ending one in three lives in the UK. They can result from stress, smoking and high blood pressure. High cholesterol is also widely accepted to be a cause. 7 million of us now take very effective cholesterol-lowering pills known as statins – a figure that has doubled in two years.
Cholesterol levels can be checked with a simple blood test. According to Government guidelines a person’s total cholesterol should not be higher than 5 mmols/litre of blood. The Government recommends that the following two groups should take statins:
Those who have a 20% risk of having heart disease in the next ten years;
People who have already had a stroke or heart attack.
The Government also say that statins save 10,000 lives each year.
There are two types of cholesterol:
Excessive amounts of ‘bad’ (or LDL) cholesterol can form a hard deposit, which can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible, increasing the chance of a heart attack or stroke meanwhile, ‘good’ (or HDL) cholesterol actually protects the arteries from blocking.
There are two ways of treating cholesterol – through diet and exercise and through drugs known as statins. In 2007 Tonight reported on a nutrition plan called the Portfolio Eating Plan that can be as successful as statins in reducing cholesterol levels. The Portfolio Eating Plan originates from the University of Toronto. Not only did researchers find that this way of eating can be as effective as taking a starting dose of statins, but they found it had no potential side effects.
Back in 2007 Tonight filmed with Allan Butters, Russ Hayden and Kerina McEvoy-Ives. The trio abandoned their beloved biscuits, pasties and takeaways and replaced them with the Portfolio Eating Plan style of eating, which is rich in heart-healthy foods, including soya, beans, pulses and almonds. They also increased the amount of exercise they did – taking 10,000 steps each day to boost their good cholesterol levels. In addition, they were asked to reduce the amount of cigarettes they smoked.
After just over a month on the Portfolio Eating Plan Russ, Kerina and Allan lowered their cholesterol significantly as well as their blood pressure. As a result, all three significantly reduced their likelihood of suffering cardio-vascular problems. So two years on, it’s time for Tonight to find out whether they have managed to stay committed to this lifestyle regime?
Meanwhile, fitness fanatic and former dare-devil Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan has recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol. Used to an active and fit lifestyle, he tells Tonight that he would prefer to try to reduce his cholesterol through diet and exercise rather than popping a pill for the rest of his life. This latest programme follows his efforts to lower his cholesterol through natural means.
Statins are a very effective way of reducing cholesterol levels. For the vast majority they are completely safe, but like all drugs statins have potential side effects and do not suit everybody. Some doctors and former statin users are sceptical about them being hailed as ‘wonder drugs’. Tonight meets several people who have suffered severe side effects after taking statins. The programme also includes interviews with several GPs who have varied opinions on prescribing statins and the extent to which this ought to be done.
If you are a statin user and you are concerned about side effects or, if you believe you may be experiencing an adverse reaction to this drug, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you have already had a stroke or heart attack you will likely be advised to continue taking statins. However, your doctor may be able to offer you a different statin. If you have not already got heart disease your doctor may be able to suggest alternative ways of reducing your cholesterol.
If you are interested in a heart-healthy lifestyle you can find further information, recipes and links about the Portfolio Eating Plan on Amanda Ursell’s webpage www.amandaursell.com and click on the link to the Portfolio Diet. Please note that before making major changes to your diet Tonight recommends you consult your GP or a nurse.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PORTFOLIO EATING PLAN IS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT ALREADY SUFFERED HEART DISEASE. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY HAD A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE, AND ARE ALREADY TAKING STATINS, YOU MUST CONTINUE TO TAKE YOUR DRUGS.
For more information on Peter Duncan and his projects please visit http://www.heresoneimadeearlier.com/
For more information on Dr Le Fanu and his column please visit http://www.jameslefanu.com/
If you think you might be suffering from side effects that are related to your medication Tonight emphasizes you must discuss them with your GP. It is imperative that you DO NOT stop any medication before consulting your GP.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. If you think a medicine has caused a side effect or reaction, you can report the problem to MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme. This can be done at www.yellowcard.gov.uk. Alternatively, forms can be found at pharmacies, other NHS outlets or your doctor’s surgery.
Medicine Guides are an online medicines information resource for patients and the general public in the UK. Medicine Guides give up to date, reliable and understandable information about medicines. For more information please visit http://medguides.medicines.org.uk/
The electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) contains up to date, easily accessible information about medicines licensed for use in the UK. http://emc.medicines.org.uk/
Department of Heath provides legislation and guidance from the UK Government and the National Health Service. Their website is www.doh.gov.uk. More information on statins can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cholesterol-lowering-medicines-statins/Pages/Introduction.aspx
National Institute of Clinical Excellence is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health. For more information please visit www.nice.org.uk
For further information on cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and the use of statins please visit British Heart Foundation http://www.bhf.org.uk/living_with_a_heart_condition/treatment/statins.aspx, Heart UK www.heartuk.org.uk, or the Stroke Association www.stroke.org.uk website.
For more information on Parkside Hospital, where Peter had his cholesterol levels measured please visit
http://www.parkside-hospital.co.uk/index0.asp
For more information on Day Lewis Pharmacies please visit
Thank you to Andrew’s Café and Restaurant in Clerkenwell, London and Bushwacker Wholefoods in Hammersmith, London.
