Statins are a type of drug that will help to maintain high cholesterol levels. They do this by lowering the amount of cholesterol that is produced by the liver.
Although statins will reduce levels of cholesterol in the body, it is also important to watch out for the cholesterol that can be obtained from the foods that you consume.
High levels of cholesterol increase a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke and statins have been proven to reduce these risks.
All medications that are used to help with high levels of cholesterol should be paired with changes in your diet and lifestyle in order to provide optimal results.
Statins can be used on their own, but there is a higher success rate when they are combined with patients making positive changes in what they eat and how active they are.
A majority of the time, statins are available as a tablet or pill.
Several types of statins are available on the market today, including , Crestor, Mevacor, Altoprev, and Pravachol. The type of statin that you choose to use will be dependant on the severity of your cholesterol levels, as some statins are stronger than others.
Statins can also be combined with other drugs to increase their ability to maintain the levels of cholesterol in the body, such as clofibrate and niacin.
Common side effects that occur as a result of statins are headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness and muscle pain. Serious side effects include liver damage or rhabdomyolysis, which causes cells of the muscles to be destructed and diminished.
You may also be able to use statins if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity.
Patients are advised to consult with their doctor in order to determine whether statins will be the right type of medication to help with their condition.
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Posted on May 5, 2023