You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks.
The NHS recommends maintaining cholesterol levels below 5mmol/L. In the UK, however, three out of five adults have a total cholesterol of 5mmol/L or above, and the average cholesterol level is about 5.7mmol/L, which can be a risk factor in heart disease.
The NHS explains: “You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks.”
It adds: “If you want to stop taking your medicine, it’s important to find another way to lower your cholesterol.”