Statins: Lowering Your Cholesterol

Statins are cholesterol-lowering medications that are highly effective and generally safe. There are six types of statins, and each one is different in the way it reduces cholesterol. They also vary widely in price, falling anywhere in the range from $30 to over $150 per month. This is important as the majority of patients who take statins to lower their cholesterol have to take them for years. (Making changes to your diet and weight can help shorten the amount of time you have to take statins.) This article will discuss statins in general, and the benefits and risks of using them to control your cholesterol. It does not constitute or replace medical advice.

Statins work by blocking the substance in your body that it needs to make cholesterol. Statins may also help your body reabsorb cholesterol that has accumulated on your artery walls. Commonly prescribed statins for cholesterol control include Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Crestor, and others.

Factors besides high cholesterol that need to be considered before your doctor prescribes statins for you include your family history of heart disease, blood pressure, age, excess weight, smoking, and your general health. If your only risk factor is high cholesterol, it is probably not necessary for you to take statins. Remember, too, that statins can interact with other medications, even over-the-counter ones, so be sure your doctor knows all the medications you are currently taking if he prescribes statins to help lower your cholesterol.

Side effects of statins include muscle and joint aches, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Serious side effects include liver damage and kidney problems. Statins sometimes cause an increase in liver enzymes, which can lead to permanent liver damage if left untreated. Statins can also in rare cases cause muscle cells to breakdown and release a protein into your blood stream which can damage your kidneys. Make sure you discuss these side effects with your doctor, and let him or her know immediately if you begin to experience muscle pain or tenderness (the first sign of muscle cell breakdown).

Other benefits. Besides lowering your cholesterol, statins also seem to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help stabilize the lining of blood vessels. Statins help relax blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and have blood-thinning effects, which can lower the risk of blood clots. Other benefits could possibly include prevention of arthritis and bone fractures, reduction of cancer risk, reduction of risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, and protection of the kidneys. These benefits are currently being researched b y the medical community.

Source List

http://www.consumerreports.org/health-best-guy-drugs/statins.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statins/CL00010