Don't Stop Your Statins over Small Diabetes Risk - 8 News NOW

Don't Stop Your Statins over Small Diabetes Risk

A new study says statins, which are used to control cholesterol, might raise a person's risk of type two diabetes. A local doctor warns against over-reacting to the study.

Local endocrinologist James Snyder says heart disease is a major cause of death for people dealing with diabetes, so it's very important to control cholesterol.

Dr. Snyder says the new study found only a slight elevation of diabetes risk, while the drugs are preventing many times more heart attacks. He told me "the overwhelming benefit is to take the statin, prevent the heart disease and just be alert to the possibility of diabetes and then treat that when it's detected."  

 You may want to talk to your own doctor about your risk of developing type two diabetes, and whether statin use is indicated.

Here's a link to the study:

http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Statins-Linked-to-Slightly-Increased-Diabetes-Risk/ArticleNewsFeed/Article/detail/657667?contextCategoryId=40131

And another link to 8 News Now's online section Dealing with Diabetes:

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=88951&nav=menu102_7_2

Watch for my health reports at 4pm and 6pm on 8 News Now in Las Vegas.

Paula Francis

KLAS-TV