Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a drug in the statin drug classed prescribed to patients to lower blood cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, elevate HDL cholesterol, to prevent angina, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, revascularization procedures in heart disease, and prevent heart attacks, and strokes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Side effects of Lipitor include:

• Headache
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Joint pain
• Common cold
• Intestinal gas
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Heartburn

Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor) are both statins that lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. These drugs, part of a family called statins, are prescribed to treat a large number of cardiovascular disease, including to prevent heart failure. Learn dosage, side effects, and pregnancy safety information before taking this drug.

When diet and exercise aren't enough, should you turn to drugs? Learn cholesterol basics, drug classes, and available drugs along with their benefits and side effects.

Cholesterol carried in particles of low density (LDL cholesterol) is referred to as the "bad" cholesterol because elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. See a picture of Cholesterol and learn more about the health topic.

Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical instability of the heart.

Heart disease and heart attacks can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle with diet, exercise, and stress management. Symptoms of heart attack in men and women include chest discomfort and pain in the shoulder, neck, jaw, stomach, or back. Women experience the same symptoms as men; however, they also may experience:

• Extreme fatigue
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Dizziness
• Fainting

Leading a healthy lifestyle with a heart healthy low-fat diet, and exercise can help prevent heart disease and heart attack.

Heart disease (coronary artery disease) occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply blood to the heart. Heart disease can lead to heart attack. Risk factors for heart disease include:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Family history
• Obesity

Angina, shortness of breath, and sweating are just a few symptoms that may indicate a heart attack. Treatment of heart disease involves control of heart disease risk factors through lifestyle changes, medications, and/or stenting or bypass surgery. Heart disease can be prevented by controlling heart disease risk factors.

Take our Heart Disease Quiz to get answers and facts about high cholesterol, atherosclerosis prevention, and the causes, symptoms, treatments, testing, and procedures for medically broken hearts.

Cholesterol occurs naturally in the body. High blood cholesterol levels increase a person's risk of developing heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, TIAs, and more. In addition to medication (fibrates, statins, bile acid sequestrants, and niacin), lifestyle changes can be made to lower blood cholesterol levels

An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the presence of certain liver enzymes in the blood. Under normal circumstances, these enzymes reside within the cells of the liver. But when the liver is injured, these enzymes are spilled into the blood stream, and can lead to diseases like fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hepatitis. Several medications also can increase liver enzyme test results.

Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev) is in the drug class of statins. Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev) is prescribed for reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides in patients with elevated cholesterol levels. Side effects, drug interactions, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.

Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High levels of LDL and low levels of HDL cholesterol put a person at risk for heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini stroke), and peripheral artery disease. High cholesterol can be lowered by eating foods that lower cholesterol, for example:

• Eat more high soluble fiber foods (oatmeal, oat bran, vegetables, and certain fruits)
• Use olive oil
• Eat foods fortified with plant sterols and stanols
• Soy
• Nuts
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Foods that raise LDL or bad cholesterol include:

• Foods high in saturated and trans fats
• Fatty meats
• Limit egg yolks
• Limit milk products
• Limit crackers, muffins, and snacks
• Avoid unhealthy fast foods that are high in fat and sugar

High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.

Pravastatin (Pravachol, Pravigard PAC [discontinued]) is a drug that belongs to the drug class of statins and is prescribed for the treating individuals at risk of the consequences of arteriosclerotic vascular disease, strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or mini-strokes), and heart attacks. Side effects, dosing, drug interactions, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Rhabdomyolysis is a rapid deterioration and destruction of skeletal muscle. Some of the causes of rhabdomyolysis include:

• severe burns,
• muscle trauma,
• coma,
• seizures,
• electrolyte imbalance,
• medications (statins),
• viruses, and
• bacteria.

Treatment of rhabdomyolysis depends on the cause.

Zocor (simvastatin) belongs to the drug class of statins and is prescribed for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Simvastatin (Zocor) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) are both statins that lower bloodstream cholesterol to manage heart disease and various other cardiovascular conditions. Learn about side effects, dosage, pregnancy safety and other facts about simvastatin and Crestor.

Statins is a class of drugs prescribed to lower blood cholesterol. Statins also are prescribed for preventing and treating atherosclerosis. Common side effects of statins are

• headache
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation, and
• diarrhea.

Serious side effects can occur.

Examples of statins available in the US are

• atorvastatin (Lipitor),
• fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL),
• lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev),
• pravastatin (Pravachol),
• rosuvastatin (Crestor),
• simvastatin (Zocor), and
• pitavastatin (Livalo).

Drug interactions, dosing, storage, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain caused by either a blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Symptoms of a stroke may include

• weakness,
• numbness,
• double vision or vision loss,
• confusion,
• vertigo, and
• difficulty speaking or understanding speech.

A physical exam, imaging tests, neurological exam, and blood tests may be used to diagnose a stroke. Treatment may include administration of clot-busting drugs, supportive care, and in some instances, neurosurgery. The risk of stroke can be reduced by controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and stopping smoking.