The medical industry profits massively from treatments like stents, cholesterol medications, and blood pressure drugs, often pushing them despite questionable benefits. Stents generate $800 million annually, with many deemed unnecessary, while cholesterol medications bring in $19 billion per year without significantly reducing heart disease deaths. Blood pressure and diabetes medications also generate billions, yet health outcomes remain largely unchanged.
Using the Mayo Clinic statin decision calculator, real risk reduction from these medications is minimal. For example, a 63-year-old woman with cholesterol of 223 had only a 5% risk of heart attack over 10 years, which statins would lower by just 1%—despite their significant side effects. Even with cholesterol raised to 323, the risk only increased to 8%, challenging the narrative that high cholesterol is a death sentence.
Additionally, aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure could contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, as cholesterol is essential for brain function, hormones, and nutrient transport. Many doctors push for cholesterol under 200 without considering real risk factors, and evidence suggests cholesterol alone is not a reliable heart attack predictor.
Overall, the financial incentives behind these treatments raise concerns. Patients should question recommendations, use risk assessment tools, and make informed decisions rather than blindly following medical advice.
