Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a statin to control cholesterol levels if you have high cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a waxy, sticky substance in the blood that the liver produces to help the body build cells. Your cholesterol levels can get out of balance in two ways – too much of the “bad” LDL cholesterol or too little of the “good” HDL cholesterol. Most often, this happens because of poor diet and lifestyle choices. Sometimes, the genes passed down from your parents, other health problems you might have, or certain medications you take may raise your LDL cholesterol levels and lower the HDL cholesterol.
High cholesterol can build up fat in the arteries (plaque buildup), causing inflammation. The buildup can cause blockages in those arteries, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. This is why managing cholesterol is essential to maintaining your health and reducing the risk of heart disease.
By controlling your cholesterol levels with treatment, you actively contribute to your overall wellbeing. Lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in managing high cholesterol. Eating healthier whole foods low in fat and high in soluble fiber, regular exercise, and quitting habits like smoking can positively impact your cholesterol levels. These changes and any medication your provider may recommend form a comprehensive approach to managing high cholesterol.
What is a statin, and how do they work?
Many statin options exist, but the most commonly prescribed statins are Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and Rosuvastatin (Crestor). Most statins are taken once a day at nighttime.
At their core, statins work by inhibiting an enzyme that plays a role in the liver’s cholesterol production. By blocking this enzyme, statins reduce the liver’s ability to make cholesterol while increasing its ability to remove LDL (often called “bad” cholesterol) from the bloodstream. This makes them very effective at lowering cholesterol levels.
How do I know if I need to take a statin?
First, you and your provider must understand your high cholesterol risks. A simple blood test called a lipid profile or lipid panel will examine the different types of cholesterol in your body and measure the following:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often called “bad” cholesterol because it builds up in artery walls, forming plaque that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the “good” cholesterol. It removes excess cholesterol from blood vessels and carries it back to the liver for processing.
- Triglycerides are blood fats that differ from cholesterol but are equally important to monitor. Calories not used by the body turn into triglycerides stored in the cells. High triglyceride levels can raise the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
- Total cholesterol is the total amount of cholesterol circulating in your blood.
Your healthcare provider may recommend statin therapy if your LDL cholesterol is significantly high. However, they will also consider other factors, such as gender, race, blood pressure, smoking habits, diabetes, and age. This will help them assess your overall risk and discuss whether statin therapy suits you.
Additional risk factors, including family history, chronic inflammatory conditions, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy-related complications, early menopause, metabolic syndrome, and other lab results, may also be considered for some individuals.
Side effects
As with any medication, side effects can happen. While most people generally tolerate statins, some experience the following when taking statin medications:
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Constipation
- Gas
- Sore muscles, cramping, or weakness that doesn’t go away
For some people, the side effects can become uncomfortable, or their cholesterol levels don’t improve with treatment. If you fall into those categories, there are other medication options to add to your treatment plan you can discuss with your provider.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that most patients who are pregnant should stop taking statins and should not breastfeed while taking statins.
Making the right decision for you
Statins are generally well-studied, and research has shown that they significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in high-risk patients. If your provider recommends you start on a statin, have a shared discussion with your provider. Take the time to talk about the medication and how it will benefit you based on your health, family history, and risks for heart disease.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- “90% of U.S. Adults Have This Syndrome That Leads to Heart Disease—and Have No Clue.” Prevention, 21 May 2024, www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a60816660/ckm-syndrome-90-percent-us-adults-heart-disease/.
- “Causes and Risk Factors.” NHLBI, NIH, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-cholesterol/causes#:~:text=An%20unhealthy%20lifestyle%20is%20the,linked%20to%20lower%20cardiovascular%20health.
- “Cholesterol: Understanding Levels and Numbers.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11920-cholesterol-numbers-what-do-they-mean.
- “High Cholesterol – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 11 Jan. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800.
- “Should You Take a Statin for Your High Cholesterol?” Yale Medicine, 22 Jan. 2024, www.yalemedicine.org/news/should-you-take-a-statin-for-high-cholesterol.
- “Statins: Types, Uses & Side Effects.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22282-statins.
