Five years ago, when 50-year-old Xing learned of the unstable plaque on the carotid artery during a physical examination, his heart was undoubtedly heavy.
The doctor told him solemnly that these plaques were the potential culprits of cerebral infarction, accounting for as much as one-third of the causes of cerebral infarction. In order to stabilize these "troublemakers", Lao Xing had to take statin drugs for a long time.
Although he was worried, after all, drugs always have their side effects, especially when he heard that this medicine may also hurt the liver, Lao Xing still chose to face it bravely and decided to give it a try.
In the first month of follow-up, key indicators such as liver function, creatine kinase, blood glucose and blood routine showed normal values, and I was even more pleased that LDL cholesterol had dropped to 2.2mmol/L.
The third-month follow-up showed a further decrease in LDL cholesterol, reaching 1.82 mmol/L. Lao Xing's physical condition continued to improve, and every re-examination brought him more hope and confidence.
By the time of the six-month follow-up, Lao Xing's physical condition had changed significantly. LDL cholesterol continued to decline, reaching 1.78 mmol/L.
In the past five years, Lao Xing not only insisted on taking medicine on time, but also actively adjusted his lifestyle and made great efforts for his health. The transition from hypoechoic plaques to hyperechoic plaques shown in the color ultrasound results five years later is the best proof of his efforts.
This fundamental change in nature means that the internal structure of the plaque is tighter and more stable, which reduces the risk of rupture and provides a more solid foundation for Lao Xing's health.
01
What are the effects of statin medications and their side effects?
Function:
Statins are known as "lipid-lowering artifacts" in the medical community, and their unique mechanism of action makes these drugs occupy a pivotal position in the field of prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Statins are effective in lowering blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) primarily by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
This cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease because it tends to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels, forming plaques that lead to narrowing of blood vessels and eventually triggering serious diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
The effects of statins are not limited to lowering cholesterol. Recent studies have found that this class of drugs also has multiple effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and plaque stabilization.
Together, these effects enhance the effectiveness of statins in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and more and more patients benefit from them.
Side effect:
Statins, as an important drug widely used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease, are inevitably accompanied by a series of side effects, despite their remarkable efficacy.
These side effects may not only negatively affect the patient's quality of life, but may also interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, we must have a clear understanding and full understanding of the side effects of statins.
The main side effects of statins include muscle pain, abnormal liver function, and increased blood sugar. Among them, muscle pain is one of the most common side effects, which can cause patients to experience muscle fatigue, weakness, or pain. This pain may gradually worsen and even affect the patient's daily life and work.
In addition, statins may cause abnormal liver function, manifested by elevated aminotransferases, which in severe cases may lead to liver damage. At the same time, long-term use of statins may also increase the risk of diabetes, leading to an increase in blood sugar.
In addition to the common side effects mentioned above, statins can also cause some rare side effects, such as cognitive impairment and memory loss. These side effects, although less common, can also have a serious impact on a patient's quality of life and social skills.
02
What indicators do I need to recheck when I often take statins?
Blood lipid levels
Statins are mainly used to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, so patients should pay close attention to changes in LDL-C values after taking the drug to ensure that they are effectively controlled.
At the same time, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) are also worth paying attention to to provide a comprehensive understanding of the lipid profile.
Liver function
Statins can be a burden on the liver to some extent, so patients need to have regular liver function tests, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), to ensure liver health.
Renal function indicators
The kidneys play an important role in the metabolism and excretion of statins. Therefore, patients need to pay attention to renal function indicators, such as creatinine clearance, urea nitrogen, etc., to evaluate the status of renal function.
Muscle function
Some patients may experience symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness after taking statins, which may be related to the effect of the drug on the muscles. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to indicators such as creatine kinase (CK) during the follow-up examination to assess the functional status of muscles.
03
Doctor: Do 3 points, plaques or can be smaller
Properly assess the plaque condition
This requires the help of advanced medical technology, such as ultrasonography, to understand the nature, size and location of the plaques in detail. Once this information is available, it is important to follow the doctor's instructions closely and take the medication on time to ensure that the medication can effectively control the development of plaque and gradually promote its shrinkage.
Aggressive treatment of associated conditions
Diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes are all risk factors for the formation of carotid plaque. Therefore, we need to actively treat and manage these diseases, and control blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids within the normal range to reduce the risk of plaque rupture and detachment.
Establish good eating and lifestyle habits
We need to maintain a healthy diet low in salt, fat and sugar, increase the intake of dietary fiber and high-quality protein, and reduce the consumption of high-fat and high-calorie foods.
At the same time, we should also strengthen physical activity, maintain a moderate weight, and avoid sedentary and overexertion. Through these measures, we can improve physical fitness, enhance the function of the cardiovascular system, and thus create a good internal and external environment for reducing carotid plaque.