Archive · 20 Nov 2025
Patient's Heart Block Linked to Stopping LDL Drug, Using Garlic Supplements
A man's heart block was caused by him stopping his cholesterol medicine and using garlic pills instead.
Doctors say it's important to follow prescribed treatments and not trust everything read online.
Patient with familial hypercholesterolemia stopped taking prescribed LDL-lowering drug
He started using garlic supplements instead, believing them to be safer
Patient developed heart block due to increased LDL levels and plaque deposits
Online misinformation about statins' side effects may have influenced his decision
Doctors warn against self-medication and highlight importance of following prescribed treatments
- Who
- A 50-year-old patient with familial hypercholesterolemia
- What
- Developed heart block due to increased LDL cholesterol levels after stopping prescribed drug and using garlic supplements
- When
- Three years after being prescribed LDL-lowering drug, and recently
- Where
- Emergency room of a hospital
- Why
- Patient stopped taking prescribed drug due to online misinformation about its side effects and started using garlic supplements
Doctor's Perspective
Patient's Perspective
Effectiveness of Statins
Doctor's Perspective
Statins are proven to lower LDL cholesterol significantly
Patient's Perspective
Patient believed statins were not effective once LDL levels stabilized
Safety of Garlic Supplements
Doctor's Perspective
Garlic supplements are not a proven alternative to statins for lowering LDL
Patient's Perspective
Patient believed garlic supplements were safer than statins
- Condition
- Familial hypercholesterolemia
- Prescribed Drug
- Statins
- Alternative Used
- Garlic supplements
- Initial LDL Level
- 190 mg/dL
- Cause of Heart Block
- Increased LDL levels and plaque deposits