Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Causes Sleep Disorders
by Mia KhannaA recent study performed by the scientists at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2007 indicates that a cholesterol-lowering drug is believed to cause sleep disorders among some patients. The research also discussed how disrupted sleep patterns are linked with poor quality of life and various health conditions such as weight gain and insulin resistance. The research, which was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health compared kinds of cholesterol-lowering drugs – simvastatin and pravastatin.
The research indicates that simvastatin is soluble in fat, hence it can easily enter the cell membranes and reach out brain. As a result, the nerve cells of brain are covered with a fatty layer, which causes poor sleep. A large group of people taking simvastain reported poor quality sleep as compared to the group taking pravastain.
The research was conducted on 1,016 healthy men and women above 18, for six months. But at the same time scientists ruled out the possibility that everyone taking simvastatin will have disturbed sleep.
