What are Statins?

Statins are a type of medication that are most often prescribed to lower blood cholesterol. These drugs can be used to act on the liver. 

Cholesterol is often seen as something that is negative; however it is actually a necessary part of the body’s cell and normal body functions. While high levels of cholesterol are bad and can lead to many diseases including atherosclerosis and heart disease, normal or low levels of cholesterol are quite ordinary and to be expected. 

If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, many symptoms may follow or accompany your diagnosis, including chest pain. Statins may be prescribed to lower the risk of increasing chest pain, and cardiovascular symptoms or disease including heart attacks and stroke. 

Statins include several different categories. These are fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, mevastatin and lovastatin to name a few. Most are sold under various brand names. Statins can also be naturally occurring, including Mevastatin which is a naturally occurring form of statin that you can find in red yeast rice. 

Statins may have other benefits apart from reducing levels of blood cholesterol. A study published by the Mayo Clinic found that statins may help reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. While there are some risks associated with taking statins, as with any medication, the benefits of taking statins in many cases outweigh the risks. 

Statins work by preventing an enzyme in the body called HMG-CoA reductase from producing added cholesterol in the body. The statin replaces this enzyme in the body, so that cholesterol production is slowed down. Additional factors that may help with cholesterol reduction include eating a healthy diet that incorporates many fruits and vegetables, and eating low-cholesterol foods. Sometimes diet is not as much of a factor as genetics. Your healthcare provider can work with you to determine the best course of action in reducing your total cholesterol.