Alester Brown

What are Statins?

Did you know that an estimated 86 million Americans over the age of 20 have high cholesterol? It's a major issue that puts the health of many at risk. Fortunately, there are many ways to lower your cholesterol.

One of the most common ways that health care providers treat high cholesterol is by prescribing statins. But what exactly are statins, and how do they work?

A Guide to Statins

Statins are drugs that can lower cholesterol levels. Research shows they may also reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. There are many different types of statins available in the United States. These include Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Simvastatin (Zocor), Pravastatin (Pravachol) and more. Empower yourself with our complete guide to statins! Visit this website for comprehensive insights and make informed decisions about your health.

Doctors may prescribe statins alone or combine them with other heart medications. It all depends on the needs of the patient.

How Do Statins Work?

No guide to statins is complete without covering how these drugs work. Statins can decrease cholesterol levels by blocking the substances your body needs to make cholesterol. While cholesterol can come from the foods you eat, most of it comes from your liver.

These drugs disrupt that process, reducing how much cholesterol your liver produces. They can also help remove cholesterol that's already in your blood. The drug draws cholesterol out of plaque, stabilizing it.

Are Statins Right for Me?

Whether or not you should take statins depends on your cholesterol levels and risk factors. Working with your doctor is the best way to get appropriate treatment. If that includes taking statins, your doctor will let you know.

Generally, providers will look at your cholesterol levels now to determine if you're a candidate for statins. They'll examine your total cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Total cholesterol should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter (200 mg/dL). Meanwhile, LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, should be under 100 mg/dL.

Your health history matters, too. If you have a history of heart attacks or present substantial risks of cardiac events, health care providers prefer you to have LDL levels below 70 mg/dL.

Your doctor will use your cholesterol levels to understand your long-term risks. They'll prescribe statins to help you lower your cholesterol levels if deemed appropriate.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about heart health & cholesterol topics. She advises people on the highest quality clinically-proven foods to help lower your cholesterol. You can find her thoughts at cholesterol guide blog.