Thursday, February 16, 2012

Saturday, August 09, 2008 Paul asks

Q: Is Statin induced cardiomyopathy causing the increase in CHF

There is evidence that statins can cause cardimyopathy. Since the use of statins has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, has this contributed to the three fold increase in CHF admissions?

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8/10/08 9:34pm

Hello Paul,

 

I doubt it.

 

Statins are proven and safe medications.  Their benefits generally greatly outweigh the side effects of being on these drugs.

 

One must interpret data with a sense of skepticism.  Especially when the data is only related by correlation.  For example, people are increasingly using the internet, and at the same time, people are also living longer.  Does that mean that using the internet causes people to live longer?  Probably not.  There must be a testable, scientific explanation for the relationship between the two variables being considered.

 

If CHF admissions are increasing, I would bet that the more likely answer is because treatment for CHF is improving.  Think about it; if people with CHF are living longer, then they are also likely to have more admissions for their disease.

 

Hope this helps.

 

To your health,

Neil MD

 

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