Zocor, Simvastatin, Other Statins

[Neil-Lockwod]

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD-SGM on October 13, 1997 at 09:13:12:

In Reply to: Zocor, Simvastatin, Other Statins posted by Neil Lockwood on October 12, 1997 at 07:17:20:

: Hello:
  About 3 1/2 years ago my father had an angioplasty on one valve and has been doing very well since. He has adjusted his diet to one that is more heart-friendly, he is on aspirin daily and has been prescribed Zocor for cholestorol control.  I'm not sure just how long he has been using Zocor, but recently he went to the hospital after what seemes to be "heart-attack" syptoms (symptoms).  The cardiologists were able to rule out all the things that WERE NOT the problem, but still have no bottom line on what caused the situation.  Through personal investigation on my mother's part, we are wondering if Zocor could be the culprit.  Some of the listed side-effects of the drug are quite similar to what my dad was experiencing when he went to the hospital.
  My father would like feedback from ZOCOR, SIMVASTATIN OR OTHER "STATIN" USERS, regarding any side-effects they have experienced.
  Thank you in advance,
  Neil Lockwood

[CCF Cardio MD-SGM]

_
Dear Neil,
Regrettably,  you have submitted your question to a forum of physicians, and not "users". As such, although I would be happy to provide you with medical information directed at your query, I cannot hope to represent the broad spectrum of individuals that have been prescribed cholesterol lowering medication.
From your description, I gather that your father underwent angioplasty (baloon dilation of a vessel) of one of the coronary arteries that supplies the heart.   Coronary artery disease, characterized by the accumulation of lipid-rich plaques in the coronary arteries, can lead to symptoms of chest pain and often results in a myocardial infarction (heart attack) which represents irreversible damage to the heart muscle that occurs following disruption of blood flow.   The majority of patients with coronary artery disease have one or several risk factors for this condition,  with a very common risk factor being abnormally elevated total and LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels.  Multiple randomized, controlled trials have been conducted around the world to demonstrate the undisputed benefit of cholesterol-lowering medication, both in patients with established coronary artery disease, such as your father, as well as in individuals with elevated cholesterol without coronary disease.  These medications have been shown to reduce the rate of repeat myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and combined death from all causes.  The therapeutic benefit of these medications borders on the remarkable.  Not surprisingly, many patients are prescribed cholesterol lowering medications, with the "statins" enjoying the highest rate of use due to their unparalleled effectiveness in lowering cholesterol and the excellent side-effect profile that they enjoy.
Rare side effects include inflammation of liver and muscle tissues, which should be detected by periodic blood tests.   Any medication can sometimes be associated with a host of unusual symptoms, and a review of the Physicians' Desk Reference of prescription medications will reveal numerous rare symptoms that may be experienced with almost any medication.  Thus, although a medicine may be tremendously beneficial in the vast majority of patients, there will always be a few individuals who manifest side-effects or symptoms that warrant discontinuation.
Your father's chest pain symptoms first raise the concern of progressive coronary artery disease. As you may know, angioplasty can successfully treat one area of blockage in the blood vessels of the heart, but fails to halt the disease process.  Lifestyle modifications such as you mentioned, cholesterol lowering drugs, and other therapies can assist in slowing its progression.  As such, I would be concerned that recurrence of chest pain represents coronary artery disease, and would recommend a stress test or other study to rule out this probability.  Also, I would recommend that your father discuss the side effect profile of Zocor with his cardiologist, and decide whether this should be discontinued.  Again, chest pain is not in any way typical of side effects encountered with the "statin" class of medications.  
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your family physician(s).

Have a nice day.