Statins are a group of prescription medicines used for lowering cholesterol. They are taken by millions of people worldwide. High blood cholesterol poses a health risk because it causes fatty deposits to build up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Statins will often be prescribed for people who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Statins for Lowering Cholesterol
Statins, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. By blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is used to make cholesterol, statins reduce the production of LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). This is the type of cholesterol that is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, because it is responsible for clogging up the arteries.
As the liver is no longer making as much LDL cholesterol, it gets what it needs from the LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. Statins effectively increase the amount of LDL cholesterol removed from the blood, causing LDL blood cholesterol levels to go down and reducing the risk of heart disease. Statins may also help to increase HDL blood cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), also referred to as "good" cholesterol.
Names of statins include atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, and simvastatin with ezetimibe. Statins are taken in tablet form daily, and are most effective when taken each evening before bed. This is because the liver makes cholesterol during sleep. Statins will usually show an effect on cholesterol levels within four to six weeks.
Who Uses Statins to Lower Blood Cholesterol?
People with high blood cholesterol (a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher, or a LDL cholesterol level of 130 mg/dL or higher) may be advised to take statins. High cholesterol is caused by lifestyle factors such as an unhealthy diet or lack of physical activity. It can also occur due to an inherited condition known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which causes the liver to make too much cholesterol.
However, high cholesterol is not the only factor that needs to be considered when deciding if someone should take a statin to lower his or her cholesterol. The overall risk of heart disease also needs to be taken into account. Other risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, high alcohol consumption and a family history of heart disease.
Statins may be beneficial for people who have other risk factors for heart disease in addition to high cholesterol. Statins may also help prevent further complications in people with a history of cardiovascular disease such as angina, heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease (narrowing of the arteries in the legs). Statins are usually taken indefinitely, as blood cholesterol often rises again if their use is discontinued.
It may not be necessary for people who have high cholesterol, but no other risk factors for heart disease, to take statins to lower their cholesterol. Simple lifestyle changes such as taking more exercise, eating a heart-healthy diet, losing weight and giving up smoking may be enough to lower cholesterol naturally.
Although statins help to reduce the risk of heart disease, they are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. As with many other medications, statin drugs may have unpleasant side effects. To learn more, read Side Effects of Statins. Muscle Pain, Weakness and Liver Damage.
Sources:
British Heart Foundation. “All About Statins” (Accessed June 16th 2010).
eMedicineHealth. “Statins for Cholesterol” (Accessed June 16th 2010).
MayoClinic. “Statins: Are These Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Right for You?” (Accessed June 16th 2010).
NHS Choices. “Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines, Statins” (Accessed June 16th 2010).
Sharon Kirby - Sharon is a freelance health writer and contributes to various print and online publications. Writing credits include Nursing Times, Good ...
