It is possible because high blood cholesterol does contribute to arteries thickening, which may lead into cardiovascular diseases. I cannot take statin drugs. And patients who eat red yeast might inadvertently end up taking a higher dose of statin than planned. The Rapid Heart Rate of Atrial Fibrillation Causes Shortness of Breath We want you to take advantage of everything Clinical Advisor has to offer. Researchers at the University of Toronto looked at data from 284,000 people after surgery. INTRODUCTION: Statins are commonly used medications in medicine. Sign in Regarding shortness of breath you may tap with the tips of your fingers of one hand lightly right about the sternum and while doing this breathe in slowly for 5 seconds and then release, then 4 sec. Your heart and lungs are involved in transporting oxygen to your tissues and removing carbon dioxide, and problems with either of these processes affect your breathing. These differences in behavior are not just subjective feelings on the part of the individual but tend to be corroborated by family members. In the PRIMO study, muscle-related symptoms occurred with the various regimens as follows: It occurs when there is not enough blood that flows to the coronary arteries which supply the heart. The study, which focused on older women, was an observational study (as opposed to a blind study comparing two regimens). Sometimes people also have tingly fingers when this happens. If you have shortness of breath and a dry cough that seems to have some kind of a trigger, such as exercise, exposure to dust, exposure to tobacco smoke or chemical fumes, or changes in temperature, the problem could be asthma.Many asthmatics have symptoms that arrive "out of nowhere" at night once or twice a month, … Sometimes it can happen because a person is breathing too fast, called hyperventillation. When tissues break down, the body must eliminate waste products. When he reached the top of the staircase, he had to stop, sit down and catch his breath. This can also result in deeper or faster breaths and may cause many problems. however I am still tired with shortness of breath . 1. I have seen one patient develop angioedema on one statin but not on others. A 53-year-old man who has a history of hypercholesterolemia with elevated triglycerides and LDL has been tried on different statins to bring down his … You may have felt it, too -- the uncomfortable feeling you get when you can't seem to get enough air. Dietary supplements of vitamins as well as alcohol can cause muscle pain which might be confused for statin-induced pain. We strive to be an unbiased source of information. Key, too, are staying active, maintaining a proper weight and quitting smoking. The lungs in people with COPD can become hyper-inflated, taking up more room in the chest cavity. Muscle pain and muscle weakness are two of the main side effects of statin drugs. Sometimes anxiety can cause shortness of breath as well. This method helps reduce shortness of breath by slowing down the rate of breathing especially those caused by anxiety. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of heart failure. A famous Danish study of neuropathy as a side effect to statin use concluded that an individual who is a long-term user of statin drugs has anywhere from 4 to 14 times greater risk of developing peripheral neuropathy than a person who does not take statin drugs. Central nervous system conditions impacting the brain may also cause shortness of breath symptoms. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego studied people who took pravastatin and simvastatin, but their results can be generalized to other types of statins. If that is true then why does it stop when you stop taking the drug? Cholesterol-containing deposits (plaque) in your arteries and inflammation are usually to blame for coronary artery disease.When plaque builds up, it narrows your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. One of the side effects of the drug can be shortness of breath, specifically if the dose one takes is more than their doctor recommends 2 4. Some have even suggested use of statins may ease arthritis symptoms. Other heart-related conditions may also cause: * cough * shortness of breath * along with other symptoms 3. I have no pain. Mitochondria are the parts of the cells that burn fuel for energy. It can also be a sign of a panic attack. There are anecdotes about patients who think statins harm their athletic performance, but formal establishment of an effect is not so clear. It found the elevation of creatine kinase levels was related to the dosage of statins given the patient. Bailey2146 28 May 2018 They keep telling people that shortness of breath is probably not from Simvastatin but from something else. There are two other points to consider. We do not buy or sell any statins or any other medicines. if ( typeof googletag != 'undefined' ) { Coronary Artery Disease . Any interruption of this process can cause shortness of breath. Sometimes, shortness of breath indicates a serious medical condition, so it makes sense to talk to your doctor for a correct diagnosis. In emergency medicine, this is referred to as the ABC's with A standing for airway, B standing for breathing, and C representing circulation. Increasing concerns about muscle-related adverse events are leading to the idea that lower doses of statins should be prescribed than current practice. Shortness of breath can happen for lots of reasons. While on pravastatin, he developed shortness of breath, which resolved when the medication was stopped. Some people report shortness of breath from vaping but it is short term and subsides when vaping is stopped or moderated. Can AFib Cause Shortness of Breath? Shortness of breath (SOB), also known as dyspnea (BrE: dyspnoea) is a feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. Source: http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20120104193906598025. }); Smoking causes shortness of breath due to long term, mostly irreversible damage to lungs (COPD). Lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia cause breathing difficulties. I would also be very concerned that this really might have been an undiagnosed cardiac problem, either an angina/ischemic episode or a case of heart failure (either systolic or diastolic), in this high-risk patient. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Common causes include asthma, a chest infection, being overweight, and smoking. Now a study has established a link between statin use and fatigue. Meanwhile, about 2 percent of the cases of side effects of statins reported to the FDA at the time these cases were studied concerned cognitive problems including memory loss. It's widely known that cholesterol-lowering statins can benefit patients with heart ... which can cause fluid to collect in the limbs and lungs, resulting in shortness of breath and fatigue. Scientists think that the build-up of statins in the body causes neuropathy in some individuals. If a person’s heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, they may experience fatigue and shortness of breath. Statin Answers presents scientifically grounded, yet easy-to-understand facts about these drugs. This can cause inflammation, narrowing and swelling leading to shortness of breath. But sometimes it could be a sign of something more serious, such as a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer. 5. The pain indicates muscle breakdown. There are over 100 types of neuropathy, each with its own cluster of symptoms that can be diagnosed by a neurologist. In the extreme, severe neuropathy as a side effect to statin use can lead to death. Data pooled from 59,448 patients identified a number of prevalent symptoms, such as dyspnea, otherwise known as shortness of breath. Find all of the news and departments you love from the print issue archived for easy online access, along with special Web-only content. Analysis of the muscle showed animals on the medicine had less glycogen and there was evidence of mitochondrial damage. Because the population is genetically similar as opposed to the vast melting pot of the United States, it is easier to conduct a controlled study. The scientists who study this put them in a category called muscle-related adverse effects (MAEs) Another common side effect is memory loss. Rhabdomyolysis (often called rhabdo for short) is the medical term for the breakdown of muscle fibers that results in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. In 2009 … One of their side effects is muscle injury. If you are concerned about your symptoms, then you should contact your doctor right away. While regulatory agencies have deemed statins to be safe to use for their intended purpose, no drug is without side effects in susceptible individuals. I went into my doctor 2 months ago for shortness of breath and after chest xrays, an EKG, and some pulmonary testing I was referred to a pulmonologist. ... cholesterol and sugar. However, a small group may continue to suffer with cognitive problems longer, perhaps indefinitely. The result: a faster heart rate, trembling or shaking, feeling a loss of control, and chest tightness or shortness of breath, per the NIMH. I seen the pulmonologist a month ago and he wanted a CT scan, Echocardiogram, more pulmonary testing, and a sleep study. At this point in time, public health officials do not have an estimate of the incidence of memory loss associated with statin use in the general population. Much of the data for the effects of statins on myopathy comes from the Prediction of Muscular Risk in Observational conditions, (PRIMO) survey from 10 years ago. Shortness of breath can also be caused by conditions unrelated to the heart but affect the lungs instead, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Shortness of breath is a telltale sign of the condition. Diffuse lung disease is when the whole lung is affected. Doctors have long reported patients feeling tired after starting a statin regimen. These numbers are shown only for comparison and to indicate that muscle pain of some sort can be common. These types of problems are known as cognitive defects. Sudden shortness of breath can be caused by life threatening conditions, such as a heart problem or an asthma attack, and may require immediate medical attention. Muscle symptoms are a common side effect of statins; many people experience aches in the shoulders, pain in the jaw, or muscle pain in the legs. Shortness of breath can be caused by a medical issue or may occur in healthy people due to strenuous exercise, obesity, extreme heat or cold, or high altitudes. Copyright © Statin Answers. I am 76 years and have carried cholesterol of 235 for years. Breathing difficulties are especially common when there are complications from these conditions. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Crestor.. Both can cause shortness of breath, along with a variety of other symptoms. Other causes that can result in shortness of breath include the following. Was there any facial, lip, or mouth edema? Lung cancer is one particularly frightening example. The researchers admitted that more work is needed to answer questions regarding surgery and statins, and they did not recommend stopping statins before surgery until more is known. For susceptible individuals, the use of a statin drug can interfere with proper functioning of the peripheral nerves. In Summary. But these are the causes of both shortness of breath and dizziness. Each year, between 25% and 50% of people in the U.S. see a doctor for shortness of breath. Giving a patient a statin means implictly making a trade off beteen cardiovascular benefits and metabolic risk. Statin drugs are often associated with side effects including nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, shortness of breath, memory loss, liver problems, muscle weakness, muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy and cardiomyopathy due to a depletion of Coenzyme Q10. Abdominal bloating can affect the diaphragm, causing shortness of breath. This memory loss may be so extreme as to be amnesia that lasts for 6 to 12 hours. window.hmAds.registerAd( 'div-gpt-ad-in_article', 'in_article', 'default' ); It can be a warning sign of something serious. Shortness of breath and fatigue, which are common symptoms of COPD, often cause patients to limit their physical activity for fear of worsening breathlessness. Many conditions can make you feel short of breath. It can also be a sign of a panic attack. Recent research has found a mild increase in diabetes risk associated with statin usage. The time until recovery appears to be related to the amount of time before the cognitive symptoms appeared; that is, the longer it took for the symptoms to appear, the longer it took for the person to recover. Some people experience memory loss, report an inability to concentrate, or feel that they are developing Alzheimer’s disease when taking statin drugs. has high-cholesterol and family history of high b.p./strokes. There are no official reports of dyspnea caused by statins, but, of course, anything is possible. Long-term shortness of breath is most commonly caused by a problem with the lungs, but anything that affects function of the muscles required to breathe can also cause serious breathing problems. High cholesterol is not the direct cause that can possibly make you short of breath. Some other conditions that usually cause dry cough include: Asthma. Other causes. Their effect on muscle fibers and the tendency to cause fatigue brings up the topic of exercise and whether statins make it more difficult to execute a work-out routine. ... your usual GP to get some investigations performed and if stress is a particular issue at the moment which certainly can lead to some of the symptoms you are experiencing, counselling and stress management techniques may be helpful. Muscle weakness is frequently a symptom of neuropathy and the muscle weakness may develop in a matter of days or may slowly progress over weeks or months. We present a case of a patient (PT) who presented with chronic shortness of breath (SOB) and hypercapnia secondary to statin therapy. If the patient had wheezing, then it might have been an allergic bronchospasm, similar to the reaction in my patient. Fluvastatin 40 mg - 5.1% I am 76 years and have carried cholesterol of 235 for years. Was there any facial, lip, or mouth edema? Acute dyspnea is a sudden episode of shortness of breath and can be triggered by: Blockage of breathing pathways Small countries like Denmark or Iceland are great for studying medical conditions. Shortness of breath can be a scary experience, but you can relieve your symptoms. Anyone who is taking statin drugs for any reason should be aware of these side effects and their symptoms. Individuals may simply not recognize the progressive muscle weakness and excuse the symptoms away as the result of being tired, overexertion, or just getting older. Dr. Tamanna Nahar answered: "Cholesterol SOB: High cholesterol itself can't cause sob but bad cholesterol build up with arterial and heart damage can in turn c..." Ask doctors free. Any treatment you may need depends on what's causing your symptoms. This report specifically targeted fatigue, which is recognized as a detriment to quality of life by the medical field. Other symptoms of neuropathy include: numbness, tingling, and pricking sensations; burning pain (especially at night); and/or sensitivity to touch. Overexertion Now TGA is occurring with increased frequency. Most cases of shortness of breath are due to heart or lung conditions. It is estimated that myopathy strikes 2 to 5% of statin patients, but that estimate could be low (1) because it is hard to break out the side effects of statins from other bodily conditions, (2) because pain levels may be so low that patient doesn't report them, and (3) because in general the causes of muscle pain (and this includes the etiology of statin-induced myopathy) are not well understood at a biochemical level. } Without some clinical information about the dyspnea, it is difficult to do more than guess. Some researchers estimate the 1 in 10 people who take statin drugs will experience a mild form of neuropathy where the symptoms may be a feeling of tiredness, difficulty in arising from a low chair or getting out of bed, shortness of breath or difficulty walking. Another cause of shortness of breath and nausea is heart attack. Anxiety treatments may sometimes be indicated for shortness of breath. Some of the major reasons that can cause breathing problems are given below. however I am still tired with shortness of breath . Researchers have looked for a connection between arthritis pain and statin use, but not been able to find one. Just from my own experience, statins can cause all kinds of problems and shortness of breath is … Coronary Artery Disease is the primary cause of shortness of breath as well as dizziness. Typically, long-term use of statins is defined as 2 years or more but neuropathy can occur even after just a few days of use in a susceptible individual. Finally, many patients and clinicians are too quick to stop statins, which are extraordinarily safe, lifesaving agents, for mild muscle pains that may simply be coincidental rather than caused by the statins. However, if you have a high cholesterol level, you can probably experience shortness of breath that is sudden and recurrent. Patients complaining of muscle weakness or soreness are often evaluated with ankle-brachial index devices to measure differences in blood pressure through the body, which can be a sign of vascular disease. Hematologic disease: Blood disorders like a low blood count (anemia) or a tendency to form clots are serious concerns that may present with shortness of breath. Medscape has a good article on this here (registration required.). Both CAD and PAD can cause serious ... tightness or pressure in the chest and shortness of breath; pain, tightness ... which develops in teenagers and young adults and can lead to high cholesterol. In fact, some of them experience severe shortness of breath when in a state of stress. Even modest doses (20 mg/day of simvastatin) produced a statistically significant effect on subjective measures of energy. Shortness of breath can make it hard to breathe deeply. More work is needed to establish a connection between statins and diabetes, but if there is one, it could alter the calculation on whether to administer statins as a preventative measure. If the patient had wheezing, then it might have been an allergic bronchospasm, similar to the reaction in my patient. High cholesterol is not the direct cause that can possibly make you short of breath. You may feel winded, or as if you can’t get enough air into your lungs. - shortness of breath while exerting are inconvenient prognostic markers of a bad middle and long-term prognosis, unfortunately. It is possible because high blood cholesterol does contribute to arteries thickening, which may lead into cardiovascular diseases. To view unlimited content, log in or register for free. Copyright © 2020 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Do not try to self-diagnose the cause of your shortness of breath – always see a GP. The frequency of rhabdomyolysis, although always rare, increases with dosage, too. When shortness of breath comes with a feeling of a lump in the throat and feeling like fainting, anxiety may be the underlying cause. Want to view more content from Clinical Advisor? Stress can affect various functions of our body, including causing shortness of breath even if you do not suffer from respiratory disorders. Always take all the antibiotics you are prescribed, so you don't get an even worse flare-up of the infection later. It is better, after all, to ache a little bit than to die from an early cardiac event.—Robert M. Guthrie, MD, From the December 01, 2008 Issue of Clinical Advisor, Already have an account? The occurrence of toxic or poisonous substances in the body is another one of the ways neuropathy occurs. We have not received any money or support from pharmaceutical companies. would keep raising. This can happen when people have panic attacks, and are very worried or anxious. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. Do not give medical advice and any health concerns should be directed to your doctor for a correct.. Beat or flutters in an unusual way, it is short term and subsides when vaping is stopped or.... Different types of neuropathy, short for peripheral neuropathy, can statins cause shortness of breath for peripheral neuropathy each... Breathing with the lips anecdotes about patients who think statins harm their athletic performance, but formal establishment an... Down, the use of statins, just to take other measures correct. Are most able be able to find one you ’ ve read { { metering-total } } of {. Hard for you your whole life, but you can ’ t get enough air have not received any or. Overload the kidneys, causing shortness of breath, ” says Dr. Edelman medicine had less glycogen and was! 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