Statin warning

I was interested to read that “grapefruit could hold key to beating world’s biggest killer” namely, cardiovascular disease (your report, 13 August).

What a pity, then, that so many of us oldies who are at particular risk of heart attack and stroke have been put on high doses of statins, some of which come with the warning: “Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.” Apparently, grapefruit can ­inhibit an enzyme which breaks down statins in the body, leading to a potentially fatal build-up of the drug.

So if you are frightened to give up your statins (GPs seem to love them!), better give up your grapefruit habit and switch to oranges or bananas.

Harry D Watson

Edinburgh