This reader of mine really hits the nail on the head…

I recently heard from a reader named Steve in New Hampshire. And his comments were so on-point that I felt compelled to share them with you–and anyone else with the good sense to take his message to heart.

Steve wrote:

Regarding your discussion of the over-prescription of statins, I have come to a conclusion.

When a doctor prescribes a statin to someone without heart disease, they are not treating them as a patient. They are attempting to shave the percentages of the aggregate.

A person with a 5% risk factor for a heart attack within 10 years actually isn’t even a patient. They are not being treated for a disease.

However, that 5% risk factor can possibly be shaved to 4.93%, so the doctor feels compelled to prescribe statins.

Personally, I don’t stand for doctors prescribing drugs to me for diseases I don’t have, in their effort to shave a tenth or two off of my risk factor.

For people in this situation, the side effects, costs, and repeated trips to the doctor more than offset any benefit.

But, the doctors don’t track the entire situation. They are focused on affecting something positively, even if the net effect is negative.

My take anyway.

And what a brilliant take it is, Steve. I really couldn’t have said it better myself.

Comments like this, from readers like you, are what make getting up every morning and doing my job the amazing pleasure that it is. So keep them coming, everyone!

If you’ve got a question to ask, or a story or insight to share, I would love to hear it. You can send me a message here. And you can follow me on Twitter at @Drfredoescatore. Or stop by and “like” my Facebook page to make a comment there. I’m always logging in to see what people are saying.