Everyone considering or prescribed statins for cholesterol should know the following key points:

What Statins Are and How They Work

• Statins are medications that lower cholesterol, primarily by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, which is essential for cholesterol production. This causes the liver to produce less cholesterol and to remove more LDL ("bad cholesterol") from the blood

• Lowering LDL cholesterol helps reduce the buildup of fatty plaques in arteries, which can block blood flow and lead to heart attacks or strokes

• Statins also stabilize existing plaques and reduce inflammation in artery walls, further lowering cardiovascular risk

Who Should Take Statins

• Statins are prescribed for people with high cholesterol, those who have had heart attacks, strokes, or procedures like angioplasty, and people with conditions like diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or familial hypercholesterolemia

• Doctors assess overall cardiovascular risk to decide if statins are appropriate, balancing benefits and potential side effects

Benefits of Statins

• Statins can lower LDL cholesterol by 30% to 50%, which is more effective than other cholesterol-lowering drugs

• They significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events

• Statins are among the most studied and proven cardiovascular medications

Potential Side Effects and Risks

• Common side effects include muscle pain, soreness, or weakness, digestive issues, and sometimes mental fuzziness

• There is a small increased risk of developing diabetes with statin use

• Rare but serious side effects include muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) and liver damage

• If side effects occur, patients should not stop statins abruptly but discuss alternatives or dosage adjustments with their healthcare provider

Important Considerations

• Statins are usually a lifelong therapy; cholesterol levels typically rise again if statins are stopped

• Lifestyle measures such as healthy diet and regular exercise remain important alongside statin therapy for best results

• Statins are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding and should be used cautiously in people with certain liver conditions

In summary, statins are effective and widely used drugs that lower bad cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk, but they come with potential side effects that require monitoring and discussion with a healthcare provider to ensure the best personalized treatment plan