Statins: Harnessing the Full Power of Your Prescriptions

Author

Millennium Physician Group- FL

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Millennium Physician Group

Posted on

Sep 12, 2023

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Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties , Florida - Southwest

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THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICATION ADHERENCE

 If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol your doctor may prescribe you a statin medication to help manage it. But getting

that prescription is just half the battle. Millennium Physician Group Clinical Pharmacist Brittany Orr explains how to harness the full

power of your prescription. “When you think about statins, it’s all about prevention. A lot of different health conditions can increase our risk of

heart attack and stroke. Things like obesity, high blood pressure, genetics, smoking. 

FACT:

Statins reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke by up to 25%, and death by 10%.  

“Most diabetics age 40 to 75, we recommend to be on a statin medication. Or if you’ve had a heart attack, stroke, or other significant

heart problem in the past, oftentimes your doctor will recommend a statin even if your cholesterol is normal. 

“Statin medications are extremely important to take as prescribed. And not only do they lower bad cholesterol, which is known as LDL

cholesterol but they also have decades of evidence to lower the chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.  

FACT:

Concern about side effects is the leading reason patients refuse to take or stop taking statins. 

 “The biggest barriers that we see with statin really revolve around concerns of side effects. So particularly myalgia, which is a fancy way

of saying muscle pain, it can occur in about two to 13% of patients that are prescribed statin therapy. It’s really important that if you do

experience these side effects you talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Because we have seven different statin medications on the market.

As a pharmacist, I recommend trying at least three different statins at a different dose or frequency schedule before saying we

can’t tolerate statins altogether. The benefit drastically outweighs the risk.  

FACT:

The American Heart Association says statins continue to be the most effective lipid-lowering treatment.  

“The other big barrier we see with statins is just really having an understanding of why they’re so important and

that they’re really meant to be a maintenance medication for long-term use. “I really recommend if you have trouble with

your statin medication, don’t wait. Call your provider, call your pharmacist, work together to make sure to find that there there’s a better option for you. 

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Oral Care, Monitored Meals, and Aspiration Pneumonia: What We Dont Know We Dont Know in Health Care:

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One study shows that 1 in 10 deaths from pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents may be prevented by improving oral hygiene (Sjogren et al., 2008). Unfortunately, proper oral care and monitoring of meals is often overlooked in the health care setting.  Perhaps the greatest reason for this is the challenge that almost every health facility faces today: adequate staffing. When I started working in acute care as an RN over 20 years ago, nursing assistants (these are the staff generally responsible for proving oral care in an acute care setting) were typically responsible for 5-7 patients. Nurses had 3-5 patients (this was on a step down cardiac unit). Between the nurse and the assistant, we were able to provide oral care at every meal and offer one-on-one assistance to any patient that was at risk for aspiration. This is no longer the case.  RNs oftentimes look after upwards of 8 patients, and there is generally either no nursing assistant on the floor or only 1 for a patient load that can exceed 20.  Consequently, proper oral care is neglected.  I have often seen patients that are aspirating during meals, but do not have adequate staffing on hand to provide them with the supervision and monitoring that they need. This presents a hazardous catch-22: the aging individual needs to eat to maintain nutritional needs yet he/she needs assistance with eating to prevent aspirating pneumonia.   How can this be remedied? If the family is present, they can provide oral care and meal monitoring. If meal monitoring is required for an at-risk individual, its recommended to touch base with the health care team to inquire as to what the specific aspiration precautions are (every individual may have a different need and/or recommendation). A care companion can also be hired to provide the needed care. 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Learn the latest on Heart Healthy Diets

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Local Services By This Author

Millennium Physician Group

Physicians 19531 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte, Florida, 33948

Millennium Physician Group, established in Port Charlotte, Florida, in 2008 and now headquartered in Fort Myers, has emerged as the premier independent physician group in the Southeast, boasting a network of over 800 healthcare providers. Our commitment to delivering exceptional care is reflected in our comprehensive range of services, which span primary care, specialty care, walk-in centers, radiology and lab services, physician therapy, telehealth, wellness programs, home health, hospital care, and more.At Millennium Physician Group, we prioritize a patient-centric approach, striving to create a truly connected healthcare experience for individuals across the region. Our philosophy is rooted in value-based care, and we consistently engage our physicians to ensure the highest standards of quality and service. By offering a coordinated and comprehensive continuum of care, we aim to be Your Connection to a Healthier Life.With a dedication to excellence and a commitment to innovation, Millennium Physician Group continues to set the standard for healthcare delivery in the Southeast. We are honored to serve our communities and remain steadfast in our mission to improve the health and well-being of every patient we have the privilege to care for.

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Primary Care Providers for Seniors 6321 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida, 33912

Millennium Physician Group is a leading provider of comprehensive healthcare services in Florida. With a network of over 400 healthcare providers, we are committed to delivering personalized, high-quality care to our patients. Our team includes primary care physicians, specialists, and advanced practitioners who work together to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.At Millennium Physician Group, we offer a wide range of services, including primary care, cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and more. Whether you need routine preventive care or treatment for a complex medical condition, our team is here to help. We also offer telehealth services, allowing you to access care from the comfort of your home.With locations across Florida, including Fort Myers, Naples, and Port Charlotte, we strive to make healthcare convenient and accessible for our patients. Our goal is to help you live a healthier life and achieve your wellness goals. Visit our website to learn more about our services and find a location near you.

Millennium Physician Group

Primary Care Providers for Seniors 19531 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte, Florida, 33948

Millennium Physician Group, established in Port Charlotte, Florida, in 2008 and now headquartered in Fort Myers, has emerged as the premier independent physician group in the Southeast, boasting a network of over 800 healthcare providers. Our commitment to delivering exceptional care is reflected in our comprehensive range of services, which span primary care, specialty care, walk-in centers, radiology and lab services, physician therapy, telehealth, wellness programs, home health, hospital care, and more.At Millennium Physician Group, we prioritize a patient-centric approach, striving to create a truly connected healthcare experience for individuals across the region. Our philosophy is rooted in value-based care, and we consistently engage our physicians to ensure the highest standards of quality and service. By offering a coordinated and comprehensive continuum of care, we aim to be Your Connection to a Healthier Life.With a dedication to excellence and a commitment to innovation, Millennium Physician Group continues to set the standard for healthcare delivery in the Southeast. We are honored to serve our communities and remain steadfast in our mission to improve the health and well-being of every patient we have the privilege to care for.