What to know about statins

People take statin medication to help lower their “bad cholesterol.” Doctors call LDL “bad cholesterol” because of its ability to build up in your arteries and block blood flow. High levels of LDL can increase the likelihood of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and heart disease. There are many different types of statins your doctor may prescribe, depending on your specific needs and medical history.¹

Statins work by blocking a substance — enzyme HMG CoA reductase — that the body needs to create cholesterol in the liver. This causes the liver to reduce the amount of cholesterol it makes and lowers levels of LDL. Statins can also reduce plaque and inflammation in the arteries. Too much of both can block blood flow. This can cause heart attacks and strokes.¹

In addition to lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke by reducing “bad cholesterol”, statins may help increase your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – otherwise known as the or “good cholesterol.” HDL is considered good because it brings cholesterol to your liver to get it out of your body.¹

Statins are very effective and safe for most people. However, some may have side effects, like muscle pain, stomach problems, mental confusion, and in rare cases – liver damage.² It’s important to discuss the benefits and risks of taking statins with your doctor before you start taking the medicine. Also – statins can cause interactions with other medications, so make sure your health care provider knows what else you’re taking.³

While most people may not experience side effects from statins, some do. If a certain statin is giving you side effects, ask your healthcare provider to switch to a different one. Common side effects of statins include:³

• Confusion
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Muscle and joint aches

People with high levels of LDL are often candidates for statins. It’s possible to lower LDL without medications with diet change and exercise, but if this doesn’t work, your health care provider may suggest statins to help bring your LDL to a normal range. People who may be helped by statins:²

• People who have one or more cardiovascular disease risk factors and a higher 10-year risk of a heart attack
• People who have cardiovascular disease related to hardening of the arteries
• People who have high LDL ("bad") cholesterol (190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L) or higher)
• People who have diabetes and LDL cholesterol levels between 70 and 189 mg/dL

If you’re taking statins, healthy eating and exercise may help improve the medication’s success.

If you’re deciding whether to take statins or not, there are a number of things to consider. One means that may help reduce your risk for heart disease is to change your lifestyle.

Changes you may be able to make to help manage your cholesterol include:⁴

• Try to quit smoking
• Adopt a healthy diet
• Limit saturated fat and trans fat
• Exercise regularly
• Keep weight at a healthy level

If statins aren’t right for you, there are foods that could help lower cholesterol levels, including:⁴

• Soluble fiber
• Soybeans
• Phytosterols⁵
• Omega-3 fatty acids, like walnuts and salmon

Talk to your doctor to see what’s the right path for you.