Loading ...Long-Term Use of Statins Linked to Heart Disease: Studies
A new expert review suggests that long-term use of statins may be inadvertently aiding the enemy by accelerating coronary artery calcification.
For decades, statins have been heralded as reliable heroes in the battle against heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States and globally. However, a new expert review suggests that long-term use of statins may be aiding the enemy by accelerating coronary artery calcification instead of providing protection.
The review, published in Clinical Pharmacology, suggests that statins may act as “mitochondrial toxins,” impairing muscle function in the heart and blood vessels by depleting coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant cells use for growth and maintenance. Multiple studies show that statins inhibit CoQ10 synthesis, leading many patients to supplement.