Patient information

Short pages written by our GPs to go with a text message or a result. Open the one your message points to.

• Deciding about a statinYour risk of a heart attack or stroke is higher than we would like. This page shows what a statin would do for you, using NICE's own figures, so you can decide.
• Muscle aches and other problems on a statinWhat we do when a statin seems to be causing symptoms, and why we test it rather than just stopping.
• Starting AtorvastatinHow to take your new cholesterol tablet, what to expect, and what to watch for.
• You have decided against a statin for nowWhat we have recorded, what still helps, and how to change your mind whenever you want to.
• Your cholesterol after a heart attack, stroke or circulation problemWhy the cholesterol target is lower once you have had an event, and what we are doing to reach it.
• Your cholesterol is on targetYour cholesterol is where we want it on your current treatment. What that means and what happens next.
• Your cholesterol is raised, but your heart risk is lowWhat a raised cholesterol means when your overall risk is low, and the changes that make the biggest difference.
• Your cholesterol is very high, and we want to look into whyA very high cholesterol can run in families. What we check, what happens next, and why it matters for your relatives.
• Your cholesterol needs a bit more workYour cholesterol has not come down as far as we want on your current tablet. What we are changing and why.
• Your triglycerides are highTriglycerides are a different blood fat from cholesterol. What a high level means and what brings it down.