In fact, research continues to show that most major heart attacks occur in people with normal levels of cholesterol. In a huge study of 136,905 heart attack patients at 541 hospitals across the nation, 75% were found to have normal LDL cholesterol levels and were not considered at risk for heart disease. By trying different statins at different dosages, Doctors say, patients usually can find a comfortable regimen. “It’s a well known, proven therapy that might prevent a devastating illness,” Doctors say. It can take two to five years for a statin to pay off preventively, so a healthy 80-year-old expected to live that long might well opt to take one or to continue taking one. Some of the harmful drug names are Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Mevator, and Pravachol.ĭoctors may insist you take them, but keep in mind that cholesterol has never been proven to be the cause of heart disease. Some patients even had their Alzheimer’s diagnosis reversed! But when they stopped the statin therapy, their cognitive function improved in about two and half weeks.