How do you balance the very high risk of statin-induced T2DM in older women against benefit of statins?
Numerous studies have shown the risk of developing statin-induced T2DM is up to four times higher in women (especially older women) than in men. For example, "The Women’s Health Initiative recruited 161,808 postmenopausal women without diabetes mellitus at baseline, of whom 153,840 had enough data to be analyzed post hoc. Statin therapy was associated with a 71% higher risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (self-reported). After adjustment for age, body mass index, family history of diabetes, and other variables, the risk was still 48% higher in statin users." Please address how to weigh this risk when contemplating statin therapy and how to minimize it through brand, dosage, and intensity of statin, using statin alternatives and adjuncts, and other means.
Atrial Fibrillation
I would like to know any information on what you think may cause Afib. So many older Americans are dealing with this, but there are also cases in younger adults too. Is it lifestyle, cardiovascular disease, hereditary? I had an ablation for this, and I'm afraid it may be returning. I am retired - exercise, don't drink, don't smoke, eat a Mediterranean diet. Are there any markers/labs that I can track to see how my health may be changing and causing this.