Statin drugs are a class of prescription medications primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called "bad" cholesterol. They work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG- CoA reductase, which is crucial for the liver's production of cholesterol. This reduction in cholesterol production helps prevent the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes
. Key points about statins include:
- Mechanism: Statins block HMG-CoA reductase, decreasing cholesterol synthesis in the liver and increasing the liver's ability to remove LDL cholesterol from the blood
- Effects: They lower LDL cholesterol significantly (sometimes by 30-50% or more), reduce triglycerides, and may slightly increase HDL ("good") cholesterol
- Uses: Statins are prescribed for people with high cholesterol, those at high risk of cardiovascular disease, and patients who have had heart attacks, strokes, or related conditions like angina and diabetes
- Benefits: By lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation in artery walls, statins help prevent the formation and rupture of plaques that can cause blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes
- Side effects: Common side effects may include muscle pain and increased risk of diabetes; rare but serious effects include severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
Examples of statins include atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, and pravastatin
. In summary, statins are effective cholesterol-lowering drugs that reduce cardiovascular risk by targeting cholesterol production and promoting its clearance from the bloodstream
