Statins-miracle or menace?
I don't claim to have the answer. Just a bit of evidence.
When my GP suggested statins because of my family history of heart problems, I said I'd think about it. I too had a fear of the secondary effects, which are much publicised, and thought that as a slim-ish, fit and active non-smoker who looks after his diet, my risk was not that great, despite being over 70.
Now, having had two very minor TIAs I have accepted, and have taken 75 mg aspirin and 20 mg Simvastatin per day for a mere 5 weeks.
The result is that my cholesterol level has reduced from 5.1 to 3.7 and BP from 130/80 to 125/75 with, so far, NO adverse side effects thank goodness.
Readers may like to contrast this with my father's experience. At the age of 55 he had a TIA (though I don't think the term was in use at the time) and ignored it. Six months later he died in the street from a massive heart attack!
I consider myself to be lucky to have had the warning and in this case suspect that my GP was right, though it will take a little while to be sure!