Should I Take Statins? UK NHS Decision Aid
Evidence-based NHS shared decision-making aid evaluating whether to start lipid-lowering statin therapy (Atorvastatin 20mg). Breaks down 10-year cardiovascular risk thresholds, number needed to treat (NNT), and balanced benefits versus side effect rates.
Should I Take Statins? Decision Aid (UK NICE Guidelines)
An evidence-based decision tool helping NHS patients evaluate cardiovascular risk and the benefits versus side effects of lipid-lowering statin therapy (NICE NG238 / CG181).
Step 1: Check Special High-Priority Conditions
Step 2: Enter Your 10-Year QRISK® Score
If you do not know your QRISK® score, you can calculate it using our UK QRISK2 / QRISK3 Calculator.
What the Guidelines Recommend for You
Your estimated 10-year risk of heart attack or stroke is 14%, which meets or exceeds the UK NICE threshold of 10%. A GP would routinely offer Atorvastatin 20mg alongside lifestyle advice.
Understanding the Benefit: 100 People Like You Over 10 Years
Potential Benefits
- Lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol typically by 35% – 50%
- Stabilizes arterial plaque, reducing risk of rupture and clots
- Reduces relative risk of heart attacks and ischaemic strokes by ~25%
- Generic, cost-effective NHS medication taken once daily at bedtime
Risks & Common Concerns
- Muscle aches reported by ~5% (clinical trials show placebo rates are nearly identical)
- Small increase in blood glucose (often in people already prediabetic)
- Rare serious muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) occurs in <1 in 10,000 users
- Requires routine annual GP liver function and lipid review blood tests
How to Use Should I Take Statins? UK NHS Decision Aid
Check High-Risk Medical History
Indicate if you have preexisting CVD, Type 1 diabetes, FH, or Chronic Kidney Disease.
Enter QRISK Score
Provide your calculated 10-year QRISK percentage.
Review Benefits & NNT
Inspect the 100-person benefit chart and side effect breakdown to prepare for your GP consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tools
Heart Age & Cardiovascular Risk Calculator
Estimate your cardiovascular heart age and 10-year heart attack risk based on the Framingham model.
AHA PREVENT™ Cardiovascular Risk Calculator (2024)
Estimate 10-year and 30-year risk of ASCVD and Heart Failure using the American Heart Association PREVENT equations.
UK QRISK®2 / QRISK®3 CVD Risk Calculator
Estimate 10-year heart attack & stroke risk and heart age under UK NICE NG238 clinical guidelines.
Percentage Calculator
Calculate percentages, percentage increases, decreases, and percentage differences.