Statins nocebo effect: 'Thousands dying from heart attacks and strokes' due to fear of non-existent side effects

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Warnings over non-existent side effects of statins are causing thousands of deaths from heart attacks and strokes as patients needlessly avoid the drugs, researchers have warned. “What our study shows is that it’s precisely the expectation of harm that is likely causing the increase in muscle pain and weakness, rather than the drugs themselves causing them.” Professor Sever, from Imperial College London, said “tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands” of people are dying because they are choosing not to take statins for fear of side-effects that do not exist. The blinded phase of the trial also found no significant difference in rates of erectile dysfunction or cognitive impairment between patients in the active treatment and placebo groups, while sleep disturbance turned out to be less, not more, common among “blinded” patients taking statins. Any new significant information on the efficacy or safety of statins will be carefully reviewed and action will be taken if required, including updates to product labelling.” open image in gallery Sleep disturbance turned out to be less, not more, common among 'blinded' patients taking statins Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, pointed out that muscle aches, memory loss, sleep disturbance and erectile dysfunction occurred in the general population for a “whole variety of reasons”.