1 in 3 cholesterol patients do not take their medication

More than a third of people with high cholesterol put their heart health at risk by failing to take their medication as prescribed, new research shows. A survey of adults, conducted by the British Heart Foundation, revealed that 36 per cent of people with high cholesterol do not take their medication, which means they could be at greater risk of a heart attack. Research conducted on behalf of the charity also found that 28 per cent of people stop taking their medication when their symptoms disappear, while a further 23 per cent do not like the side-effects. Dr Mike Knapton, the charity's associate medical director, commented: 'Having high cholesterol or high blood pressure are major risk factors for developing heart and circulatory disease, which is still the UK's biggest killer, yet we found people with these conditions were often oblivious to the link. 'We want to remind people how vital heart medicines are - even if they feel well and don't have obvious symptoms.' The poll came as research published in the Lancet medical journal revealed that even people with no history of vascular problems could benefit from statin therapy.