Statins are the latest prescription drugs available in the market that help lower the LDL or “bad cholesterol” levels in your blood. These drugs have been specially formulated to wipe off the cholesterol that gets accumulated in your arteries and make them blocked leading to difficulties in blood flow. Statins are specialized in interfering with the working of your liver because your life is actually the organ that builds up cholesterol molecules. These medications also help block the function of enzymes in your body that assists your liver in making cholesterol. This means the medications are effective in lowering the levels of low-density lipoprotein. Statins do not have side effects at all, therefore people use them without any hesitation.
However, one should talk to a healthcare provider before starting taking statins to control their cholesterol levels. They may observe the symptoms carefully and recommend the accurate dosage of statins that must be right for you.
The fat-like waxy substance found in your cells and making them blocked for blood flow is called cholesterol. It is also necessary for some body functions. That’s why it is also known as good cholesterol. But its other form i.e bad cholesterol is harmful for your health.
It is true that the liver plays a crucial role in making cholesterol in your body but there are also some other cells that assist it in its functioning. Liver perfumes this function with the help of a specific enzyme. Blocking of the enzyme is beneficial in reducing the cholesterol amounts in your blood. This step also helps increase the levels of “good cholesterol” in your blood.
What are Statins Used for?
Statins are used to regulate cholesterol levels along with addressing some other healthy issues that also have issues for your health. Accumulation of high concentration of cholesterol in your body systems can become a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases and health conditions. The higher levels of blood cholesterol causes the building up of plaque in your arteries that interrupts the usual blood flow leading to increased risk of heart attack. Here stasis works well to destroy plaque bodies.
You can find various types of statins that have similar functions and help you get rid of high cholesterol levels in the same way. However, your physical health condition and body systems state affect the function of systems. Thus one type of stats may function better than others in your case. Your healthcare providers usually prescribe the type of stun according to the level of cholesterol built up in your arteries and the level of risk for heart disease due to plaque accumulation.
In most cases, people have to try two or three types of statins at the start to find out the best one that works good for their body.
How Do Statins Work?
Liver transports the LDL cholesterol to your bloodstream. Statins function to lower its levels. Systems perform their function by blocking the production of a specific enzyme known as 3-hydroxy-3-methyl- glutaryl- coenzyme. This is also known as a reductase which increases the production of LDL cholesterol in your blood. Stems also help lower the triglyceride amounts in your body.
In addition, statins also have an impact on the levels of good cholesterol.
Choosing the best one from the several types of statins can make your task of getting rid of LDL cholesterol easier.
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Types of Statins
General types of statins include:
- Simvatatin.
- Pravastatin.
- Atrivastaytin.
- Lovastatin.
- Rosuvastatin.
- Pitavastatin.
- Fluvastatin.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe the statins with a combination of some other medicine or pills like:
- Lovattin with niacin.
- Simvastatin with nicu or ezetimibe.
- Atrovastatin with amlodipine or ezetimibe.
Who Needs to Take Statins?
Statins are beneficial for you if you are failing in bringing your cholesterol within a normal range by natural means. Sometimes, people prefer changing their diet and incorporating more physical activity into their life to reduce their cholesterol. But in case these strategies don’t work for you. You can go for steins.
Healthcare providers usually look at the risk factors and vascular disorders for deciding if you need statins. Sometimes, your genetic makeup is the cause of higher production of cholesterol in the body.
In addition, some health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes lead to high cholesterol.
Moreover, people used to have tobacco products for smoking are more likely to develop higher concentrations of cholesterol.
Other risk factors for increasing the risk of heath conditions result to higher concentration of bad cholesterol include your:
- Sex.
- Age.
- Health status.
- Family history.
Statins are equally good for teens , adults and older people.
According to medical point of view, statins are recommended to people with:
- A higher risk of getting a heart disease while they are in their 40s to 70s due to a level of cholesterol around 70 mg/dL.
- Higher concentration of LDL such as around 190 gm/dL and can’t reduce it by changing their diet and physical activity routine.
- Diabetes and LDL levels near to 70 mfg/dL when the aegis between 50 to 70.
- A family history of early coronary disease between the age of 20 to 40 due to the concentration of LDL around 160 mg/dL.
- A history of stroke or a heart attack or a peripheral heart disease.
What Does Your Body Feel When You Take Statins?
Your body starts making a small amount of cholesterol after taking statins. This means a less amount of LDL builds up in your arteries. This helps a smooth blood flow through your blood vessels because they have less plaque in them. Uninterrupted and smooth blood flow decreases the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Are Statins Common Drugs?
Yes, statins are used commonly nowadays as the prescription drugs for controlling LDL cholesterol.
According to an estimation, around 90 million people around the world are taking this medication.
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The Beneficial effects of Statins
Statins are popular medications recommended to lower the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol in blood. The reduced concentration of cholesterol confirms the lower heart disease and strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. They are the most effective medicinal drugs that are used worldwide.
Other beneficial impacts of statins include stabilizing the lining of your blood vessels that is beneficial for the maintenance of your circulatory system. Therefore, it is considered that stains lower the risk of erupting or opaque inside your heart, lowering the risk of a heart attack.
In addition, statins help make your blood vessels relaxed and are effective for reducing your pressure.
Moreover, these drugs prevent formation of cholesterol in your liver. They are also considered effective for lowering the levels of triglyceride and increasing the level of HDL or good cholesterol.
Studies show that statins help fight against inflammation, tireless artery injury and also reduces the risk of narrowing of arteries.
Side Effects of Statins
Symptoms also cause some side effects, such as:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Headaches.
- Pain in muscles and joints.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Gas.
However, some people don’t experience any side effects when using statins. Moreover, common side effects of statins are mild. The side effects often go away when your body gets adjusted with medication.
However, serious side effects are:
- Liver damage.
- Kidney damage.
- Muscle damage.
- High blood sugar levels or diabetes.
- Confusion and memory loss.
Taking suggestions from your healthcare provider before starting statins can help avoid such serious side effects.
Who’s at High Risk to be Affected by the Side Effects?
Studies show that not everyone experiences effective systems. This means statins are safe for most people. Slide effects are obvious for the people who:
- Have type 1 or 2 diabetes.
- Have liver or kidney disease.
- Were assigned females at birth.
- Consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
- Are older than 60 years.
- Have a smaller body frame.
- Tacking multiple medicines to lower their cholesterol levels.
Experiencing any of their side effects means you need medical assistance. Visit your healthcare provider to have effective suggestions about the use of statins. They also may recommend you to try another type of statin or different medication other than statin to avoid such side effects.
According to stooges, young stylists along with grapefruit block the production of an enzyme that helps you to process the medication. The enzyme controls the amount of medication according to your body’s requirement and allows the required amount to get absorbed in your blood. Grapefruit hinder the enzyme to make the medication get absorbed in high amounts. Therefore, mixing statin with grapefruit can cause a negative reaction.
So, it can be said that grapefruit increases the side effects of drugs that may lead you to a higher risk of kidney failure, muscle injury or joint breakdown. However, mild cases are identified as less painful muscles and joints.
Alternative Ways to Reduce Cholesterol Level
Methods other than statins to control your cholesterol level include many lifestyle changes such as:
Dietary Changes
Certain foods can help you lower LDL cholesterol and decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases:
- High fiber unprocessed grains or whole grains.
- Olives, olive oil or canola oil.
- Double fiber which is present in large quantities in barley, prunes, kidney beans, pears, apples and oatmeal.
- Nuts such as salmon, halibut or herring.
- Foods fortified with plant-based substances like orange juice, yogurt drinks and margarine.
- Nuts such as walnuts and almonds.
Quitting Smoking
Stopping smoking can help improve your cholesterol levels, decrease the risk of heart disease and blood pressure.
Exercise
Having a moderate weight and doing exercise regularly also help lower the levels of cholesterol. Simple exercises like swimming, walking or billing can help your heart pump at a moderate rate. However, never start a new exercise without talking to your professional healthcare provider. It may cause harm.
Other Medications
If you’re not a status candidate or experience serious side effects of statins, you should talk to your doctor for the prescription of another type of medication to control LDL cholesterol.
Some popular types of medications recommended for this purpose include:
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor: This drug helps your small intestine absorb less cholesterol from your diet so that it may release a reduced amount of it in your blood stream. Ezetimibe is the example of cholesterol absorption inhibition.
Bile Acid Sequestrant: The liver produces a secretion known as bile. Bile is associated with the digestive process by using cholesterol. These medications help your liver to use extra cholesterol for producing more bile acid to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.
Combination of Statin and Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor: This combination reduces the rate of absorption of cholesterol in your blood through your small intestine. It also lowers the production of LDL in your liver.
Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin: The drug is also known as PCSK9 and is used to detect the actual number of LDL receptors in your body. These receptors further help to moderate the absorption of cholesterol in your bloodstream.
When to Call a Doctor?
If you’re taking statins to lower your cholesterol levels, and experiencing a pain in muscle or joint, contact your doctor as soon as possible. In addition, symptoms like dark colored urine, fever and jaundice also indicate the necessity of medical care.
Conclusion
Cholesterol levels disturbance is experienced by many of us. All of us try to control the excessive amount of LDL. For this purpose, different strategies are used but there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. However, statins are the medicinal drugs introduced as a good option for controlling high concentration of cholesterol and bad cholesterol or LDL.
Other than the statins, some lifestyle changes including exercise and a balanced diet can also help in reducing accumulation of cholesterol in the form of plaque in your arteries. The higher concentration of cholesterol in your arteries increases the risk of several health conditions such as strike, heart disease or other vascular diseases. Taking steps to control the level of cholesterol can lower the risk of these diseases and ensure a healthy life.
Although symptoms are the best option, it is good to talk with your doctor before using them.
