Statins lower cholesterol and protect against heart attack and stroke. But they may lead to side effects in some people. Healthcare professionals often prescribe statins for people with high cholesterol. Statins help lower total cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Statins (also called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) block an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase that is involved in making cholesterol. Specifically, statins block the synthesis of mevalonate, which is a precursor to sterols such as cholesterol.
Statins are prescription drugs people take to lower their level of LDL or “bad” cholesterol that builds up in arteries. Statins work by interfering when your liver makes cholesterol.
You may be wondering about side effects of statins, types of statins, how statins work, and what your doctor may prescribe instead of statins to help lower your cholesterol.
Statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a class of medications that lower cholesterol. They are typically prescribed to people who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. [1]
Statins are a group of medicines that are used to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood. They work by blocking the enzymes needed to make cholesterol.
Statins lower LDL cholesterol by slowing down how much cholesterol the liver makes. They also increase your liver's ability to remove LDL cholesterol that is already in the blood.
Some can be taken with a statin to lower LDL even more. Statins lower LDL by reducing cholesterol production in the liver. Statins are often the first medication recommended to lower LDL. Examples include atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin. Ezetimibe prevents cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestines.