Statin Medication Pros and Cons

High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and heart attack. Statins are cholesterol lowering drugs that have been considered a wonder drug of the 21^st century. Statins work by blocking the substance that the body needs to make cholesterol, thus preventing its production in the body.

Cholesterol is a substance that is in the food we eat, but it is also produced by the body. By blocking the production of cholesterol in the body, Statins can reduce cholesterol levels.

Common Statin medications include Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Crestor and others. Statins have been shown to have cholesterol lowering abilities and may offer other benefits, but doctors still do not know everything there is to know about them.

A doctor needs to look at more than just the cholesterol level to evaluate whether Statins should be prescribed. The doctor will also look at factors such as lifestyle, blood pressure, general health, age overweight, smoking, vascular disease and diabetes.

A person with just high cholesterol may not need a Statins, but multiple risk factors may mean that Statins should be prescribed.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, lifestyle is still the key to lowering cholesterol. Lifestyle habits such as avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, eating a healthy diet, physical activity and managing stress can successfully lower cholesterol without drugs.

If you and your doctor decide that Statins are the appropriate treatment, you should consider them a lifelong commitment. You might think that once cholesterol is lowered that the Statins can be discontinued, but that is not how it works. Unless another risk factor is eliminated, such as weight loss, the Statins will be taken for the rest of your life.

Statins are well tolerated by most people, but like any drug, they may have side effects. Some side effects may include muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea and constipation. Potentially serious side effects include liver damage and muscle problems.

Only a doctor can advise whether Statin medication is right for you. If you have more than one risk factor and you cannot lower cholesterol by lifestyle choices, a Statin can reduce your risk of heart disease, but the medication will likely be something you are on for the rest of your life.

Information in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have questions about a medical condition, please consult a physician.

Resource:

Mayo Clinic website
NIH

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