There may be yet another reason for individuals with elevated levels of blood cholesterol (especially LDL, the bad cholesterol) to jump on the exercise bandwagon, according to new research. A study which included over 10,000 veterans with such lipid abnormalities, classified individuals into four fitness levels ranging from least fit to highly fit. Researchers found that although taking statin drugs to lower lipid levels and being moderately fit improves survival, those who were physically fit but not taking statins were half as likely to die during a 10 year follow up as compared with those who were taking statins but fell into the least fit group. In fact, the physically fit participants had a 60-70 percent lower risk of death.
It should come as no surprise then, that study author Peter Kokkinos, recommends that individuals with dyslipidaemia [high lipid levels] should improve their fitness to at least a moderate level, stating that better fitness improves survival significantly.
And it s not that hard to get fit. Activities considered to be at a moderate level include everyday things such as walking and gardening among others. If that is not enough, Pedro Hallal from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil and I-Min Lee from Harvard Medical School point out that it is cheaper to become physically active than to take statins and there are fewer side effects to moderate intensity physical activity.
ACSH s Dr. Gilbert Ross stated a caveat to those impressed with this study: This does not mean that people on statins should feel that if they lose a few pounds or begin an exercise regimen, that it s OK to stop their medication. Perhaps if they follow through for a sufficient period of time and truly move into a higher fitness level, they can discuss such a move with their physicians. But don t do so on your own.