How Do Statins Work? Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

Statins work by decreasing the amount of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) in your liver and even increasing HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol).
Statins also decrease the formation of other types of fat in the blood, such as very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglycerides.
Statins help draw out cholesterol from the plaques formed in artery walls and stabilize them, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

How do statins work to lower cholesterol levels?

Statins block an enzyme called HMG-CoA (hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA) reductase that the liver needs to make cholesterol. That’s why statins are also called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. Taking a statin drug leads to decreased formation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or the “bad” cholesterol in the liver.

To a lesser extent, statin medications also decrease the formation of other types of fat in the blood, such as VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein), the type of cholesterol containing the highest amount of triglycerides, which is another type of “bad” fat. They help to bring down your total cholesterol level. Statins also cause a small increase in the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or the “good” cholesterol.

Additionally, taking statins helps the liver to remove the cholesterol that is already circulating in your blood. Evidence also suggests that statins reduce inflammation in the artery walls. Specifically, when statins reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol produced by the liver, the liver pulls the cholesterol from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What happens to your body when you take statins?

Statins are commonly prescribed medications to lower cholesterol. But how do statins work? When you take a cholesterol-lowering medication such as a statin, your liver makes less cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Therefore, statins prevent heart attacks and strokes by decreasing cholesterol levels.

There are 7 FDA-approved statins in the U.S., namely, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin.

Statins are prescribed when healthy lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, a healthy weight, and modification of other risk factors are not successful in lowering cholesterol numbers.

How does high cholesterol increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack or stroke)?

Cholesterol is a waxy or fatty substance that the body needs for making healthy cells and other essential bodily functions. So, inherently, cholesterol is not harmful. However, an excessive amount of cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and cardiac events. Some of the cholesterol in the body comes from food, but most of it is made by the liver.

High cholesterol does not cause any specific symptoms until it leads to other health problems. Doctors can check your cholesterol levels with blood tests. Having high cholesterol puts you at a high risk of developing heart disease and experiencing cardiovascular events like a heart attack or stroke. This is because when you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it forms fatty deposits (plaques) in the blood vessel walls. Plaque build-up causes narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels over the years without any symptoms, called atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis reduces or blocks blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain. In some cases, the impaired blood supply of the heart causes a type of chest pain called angina. Subsequently, when statins help the liver pull cholesterol from the bloodstream, these medications help stabilize the plaques and prevent blood clots formed around ruptured plaques, which cause heart attacks or strokes.

Additionally, high cholesterol levels are associated with other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high blood glucose (blood sugar), which are leading causes of cardiovascular disease.

Do statins clear the arteries of plaque?

Statins have beneficial effects on the plaque that has formed in artery walls. By reducing the blood cholesterol levels, these drugs help the liver to draw out cholesterol from the plaques and stabilize them. This helps to lower the risk of fatty plaques breaking off from the artery walls and forming blood clots. Taking statins, therefore, helps to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Is there a downside to taking statins for high cholesterol?

The downsides of taking statins include possible side effects such as muscle aches, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, gas, headache, dizziness, feeling sick, tired, or weak, sleep problems, memory problems, and a low platelet count. Around 10% of people who are prescribed statin therapy discontinue it due to muscle pain.

Keep in mind that every person’s response and tolerance to a statin varies. If taking simvastatin causes side effects, your doctor may recommend taking atorvastatin or a different statin drug. Lowering the statin dose can also help reduce the side effects, such as muscle pain. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor before stopping the medication.

Statins can interact with other medicines and increase the risk of serious adverse effects. Give your healthcare professional a full list of your medications before starting a statin drug, and check with your provider before taking any new medicine.

Another downside of statins is that there may be some dietary restrictions while on these cholesterol-lowering medications. You can take statins with or without food, but you should avoid grapefruit juice with some statins to minimize interactions that can lead to increased serum drug concentrations and side effects.

Are statins safe?

Statins are widely prescribed and generally safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 90% of adults in the U.S. who take cholesterol-lowering drugs are on a statin. Most people tolerate statin therapy well. However, there is a small risk of serious adverse effects, including muscle damage, muscle breakdown, liver damage, and an increased risk of diabetes mellitus.

Tell your doctor if you have a medical history of liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, prediabetes, or muscle problems before starting statin treatment. Stop taking statins and call your doctor immediately if you develop severe muscle weakness, extreme tiredness, and dark urine while on a statin drug.

Save on Your Cholesterol-Lowering Medications with BuzzRx!

Manage your PCT medication costs with BuzzRx coupons. Here are direct links to substantial savings for each medication:

Atorvastatin Calcium Coupon: Typical retail prices range between $61.17 and $339.24, and with BuzzRx coupons, you could pay as low as $15.81.
Fluvastatin Sodium Coupon: The retail price is $661.69. With BuzzRx coupons, pay as low as $379.36.
Lovastatin Coupon: The usual price is around $81.28. With BuzzRx coupons, pay as little as $11.08.
Pravastatin Sodium Coupon: Save with BuzzRx coupons, with prices as low as $17.90.
Pitavastatin Calcium Coupon: Typical retail prices are around $1,034.99, but with BuzzRx coupons, pay as little as $728.87.
Rosuvastatin Calcium Coupon: The usual prices vary greatly, from around $293.99 to $629.99, but with BuzzRx coupons, pay as low as $13.46.
Simvastatin Coupon: The retail price is about $106.29, but with BuzzRx, you might pay as low as $6.78.