That isn’t how it actually works, but that is a very common misperception. One may experience side effects at a given point. This means you can be taking them for five years, no problem, then for what ever reason, problem.
I actually just had this happen quite recently with atorvastatin. Took it for 15 months, no side effects. Then one day, they began. Called it in and changed to a different one, no side effects.
They are pretty bad though. Not nearly as bad as a STEMI though. On a scale of 1-10 the sides would be like 2-3, a broken bone is like 5, major myocardial infarction is like 9 or 10 (like, you’re acutely aware that you’re actually dying.).
It should also be pointed out that just because a doctor prescribes something doesn’t mean you have to take it. My doc told me that right off the bat, because I asked him how long I would have to take these things. He has obviously heard this before and responded “Oh, you don’t have to take them at all. I highly recommend that you do, but you don’t have to.”.
As for would you trade…
After what I experienced, yes. No joke, when you feel your life ending from an actual heart attack and are still conscious and aware of the fact that you are literally dying- Yes. You will trade anything in the world for another moment with your loved ones.
A lot of people do seem to change their minds later though. One would think that would stick with you, but human behavior says otherwise.