What are statins, and how do they work?
"Statins" is a class of drugs that lowers the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") in the blood by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. (The other source of cholesterol in the blood is dietary cholesterol.)
How statins work
- Statins block the enzyme in the liver that is responsible for making cholesterol. This enzyme is called hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). Scientifically, statins are referred to as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
What is cholesterol?
- Cholesterol is critical to the normal function of every cell in the body. However, it also contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition in which cholesterol-containing plaques form within arteries.
- These plaques block the arteries and reduce the flow of blood to the tissues the arteries supply. When plaques rupture, a blood clot forms on the plaque, thereby further blocking the artery and reducing the flow of blood. When blood flow is reduced sufficiently in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, the result is angina (chest pain) or a heart attack.
- If reduced flow is caused by plaques in the arteries of the brain, the result is a stroke.
- If reduced flow is caused by plaques in the arteries of the leg, they cause intermittent claudication (pain in the legs while walking).
- By reducing the production of cholesterol, statins are able to slow the formation of new plaques and occasionally can reduce the size of plaques that already exist. In addition, through mechanisms that are not well understood, statins may also stabilize plaques and make them less prone to rupturing and develop clots.
- The important role of cholesterol in atherosclerosis is widely accepted by scientists. Research from the last few years shows that aggressive cholesterol reduction is more beneficial than modest reductions. Nevertheless, atherosclerosis is a complex process that involves more than just cholesterol.
- For example, scientists have discovered that inflammation in the walls of the arteries may be an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis.
- In addition to lowering cholesterol levels, statins also reduce inflammation, which could be another mechanism by which statins beneficially affect atherosclerosis. This reduction of inflammation does not depend on statins' ability to reduce cholesterol. Furthermore, these anti-inflammatory effects can be seen as early as two weeks after starting statins.
What drugs are on the list of statins?
Statins that are approved for use in the U.S. include:
- atorvastatin (Lipitor),
- fluvastatin (Lescol XL),
- lovastatin (Altoprev),
- pravastatin (Pravachol),
- rosuvastatin (Crestor),
- simvastatin (Zocor), and
- pitavastatin (Livalo).
What are statins used for?
Statins are used for preventing and treating atherosclerosis that causes chest pain, heart attacks, strokes, and intermittent claudication in individuals who have or are at risk for atherosclerosis.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
- Abnormally elevated cholesterol levels
- A family history of heart attacks (particularly at a young age)
- Increasing age
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
Statins' role in preventing other conditions
- Most individuals are placed on statins because of high levels of cholesterol. Though reduction of cholesterol is important, heart disease is complex and, as discussed previously, other factors such as inflammation may play a role.
- Thirty-five percent of individuals who develop heart attacks do not have high blood cholesterol levels, yet most of them have atherosclerosis. This means that high levels of cholesterol are not always necessary for atherosclerotic plaques to form.
- Because it is not clear which effect of statins is responsible for their benefits, the goal of treatment with statins should not be only the reduction of cholesterol to normal levels, but rather the prevention of the complications of atherosclerosis (angina, heart attacks, stroke, intermittent claudication, and death). This concept is important because it allows for individuals who have or are at risk for atherosclerosis, but do not have high levels of cholesterol to be considered for treatment with statins.
- Statins, like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), are an important class of drugs because they have been shown to reduce the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and death.

SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Your Cholesterol & Save Your Heart See SlideshowWhat are the side effects of statins?
Common side effects
The most common side effects are:
- headache,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- constipation,
- diarrhea,
- rash,
- weakness, and
- muscle pain.
Serious side effects
- The most serious side effects are liver failure and rhabdomyolysis (injury or death of muscle tissue). Serious liver damage caused by statins is rare. More often, statins cause abnormalities of liver tests.
- Abnormal tests usually return to normal even if a statin is continued, but if the abnormal test value is greater than three times the upper limit of normal, the statin usually is stopped. Liver tests should be measured before statins are started and if there is a medical concern about liver damage thereafter.
- Rhabdomyolysis is a rare serious side effect which involves damage to muscles. Rhabdomyolysis often begins as muscle pain and can progress to loss of muscle cells, kidney failure, and death. It occurs more often when statins are used in combination with other drugs that themselves cause rhabdomyolysis or with drugs that prevent the elimination of statins and raise the levels of statins in the blood. Since rhabdomyolysis may be fatal, unexplained joint or muscle pain that occurs while taking statins should be brought to the attention of a health care professional for evaluation. Statins must not be used during pregnancy because of the risk of serious adverse effects to the developing fetus.
- Statins have been associated with increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels that are seen in diabetes.
- There are also post-marketing reports of memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, confusion, and memory impairment. Symptoms may start one day to years after starting treatment and resolve within a median of three weeks after stopping the statin.
Latest Cholesterol News
Daily Health News
Which drugs interact with statins?
Statins have some important drug interactions. The first type of interaction involves the enzymes responsible for the elimination of statins by the liver. Liver enzymes (specifically, the cytochrome P-450 liver enzymes) are responsible for eliminating all statins from the body with the exception of pravastatin and rosuvastatin.
Therefore, drugs that block the action of these liver enzymes increase the levels of simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, and atorvastatin (but not pravastatin or rosuvastatin) in the blood and can lead to the development of rhabdomyolysis. Drugs or agents that block these enzymes include:
- protease inhibitors, for example, indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir) used in treating AIDS)
- erythromycin (E-Mycin)
- itraconazole, (Sporanox)
- clarithromycin, (Biaxin)
- telithromycin (Ketek)
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
- boceprevir (Victrelis)
- telaprevir (Incivek)
- voriconazole (Vfend)
- diltiazem, (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac)
- verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS)
- ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir (Viekira Pak)
- grapefruit juice (> one quart daily)
Lovastatin and simvastatin should not be combined with the following drugs:
- erythromycin
- ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric)
- itraconazole
- clarithromycin
- telithromycin
- cyclosporine
- boceprevir
- telaprevir
- voriconazole
- danazol (Danocrine)
- protease inhibitors
- amiodarone (Cordarone)
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
- ranolazine (Ranexa)
Other important interactions
- Another important drug interaction occurs between statins and niacin and fibric acids, for example, gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), and fenofibrate (Tricor). Niacin and the fibric acid drugs (lipid-lowering agents) can cause rhabdomyolysis or liver failure when used alone, and combining them with statins increases the likelihood of rhabdomyolysis or liver failure. Gemfibrozil should not be combined with statins. Other fibric acids and niacin are used, with caution, in combination with statins.
- Cholestyramine (Questran) as well as colestipol (Colestid) bind statins in the intestine and reduce their absorption into the body. To prevent this binding within the intestine, statins should be taken one hour before or four hours after cholestyramine or colestipol.
- Stains increase the effect of warfarin. Patients taking statins and warfarin should have their blood clotting ability monitored carefully.
- Statins should not be combined with red yeast rice because red yeast rice contains a chemical that is similar to statins. Combining red yeast rice with statins can lead to serious side effects such as muscle breakdown (myopathy).

QUESTION
What is cholesterol? See AnswerWhat are the differences among statins?
Statins differ in several ways. The most obvious difference is in their ability to reduce cholesterol. Currently, atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) are the most potent, and fluvastatin is the least potent.
Drug interactions
- The statins also differ in how strongly they interact with other drugs.
- Specifically, pravastatin (Pravachol) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) levels in the body are less likely to be elevated by other drugs that may be taken at the same time as the statins. This is so because the enzymes in the liver that eliminate pravastatin and rosuvastatin are not blocked by many of the drugs that block the enzymes that eliminate other statins.
- This prevents the levels of pravastatin and rosuvastatin from rising and leading to increased toxicity such as myopathy (inflammation of the muscles).
- For example, in scientific studies, patients who took both verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS) and simvastatin (Zocor) experienced myopathy 10 times more often than patients who received simvastatin alone because verapamil increased the blood levels of simvastatin.
Side effects
- Statins differ in the frequency with which they cause a severe type of myopathy called rhabdomyolysis, in which muscles are severely damaged.
- Cerivastatin (Baycol) was withdrawn from pharmacies worldwide because it caused rhabdomyolysis 10 to 100 times more often than other statins.
- Rhabdomyolysis may occur more often in patients taking statins with drugs that also cause rhabdomyolysis or drugs that increase the blood concentration of the statin.
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Heart Health Newsletter
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Heart Healthy Diet: 25 Foods You Should Eat
What foods are heart healthy? Learn what foods help protect your cardiovascular system from heart attack, coronary heart disease,...
-
Cholesterol Levels: What's Normal and How to Lower High Cholesterol
What do cholesterol numbers mean? LDL, HDL, good, bad, and triglycerides - Get the facts on cholesterol, blood testing,...
-
Am I Having a Heart Attack? Symptoms of Heart Disease
Heart attacks symptoms vary greatly for men and women, from anxiety and fatigue to nausea and sweating. Learn the warning signs...
-
Heart Disease: Symptoms, Signs, and Causes
What is heart disease (coronary artery disease)? Learn about the causes of heart disease, arrhythmias and myopathy. Symptoms of...
-
High-Fiber Super Foods: Whole Grains, Fruits, & More
Learn about high-fiber foods. From fresh fruits to whole grains, these fiber-rich foods can lower cholesterol, prevent...
-
Cholesterol Drugs: What to Expect With Heart Medication
When diet and exercise aren't enough, should you turn to drugs? Learn cholesterol basics, drug classes, and available drugs along...
-
How to Lower Your Cholesterol & Save Your Heart
Need to lower your cholesterol levels? Use these smart diet tips to quickly and easily lower your blood cholesterol levels....
-
Food Swaps for Meals and Snacks for Heart Health in Pictures
Explore 10 food swaps for heart-wise dining. Learn what food to buy and how to cook in order to make a big difference for your...
-
Food Cravings Slideshow: Chocolate, Carbs, Salt, Sugar
Learn which food cravings can wreck your diet. Whether your craving something creamy or crunchy, sweet or salty, food cravings...
-
Cholesterol: High Triglyceride Foods to Avoid
High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease. Lower triglyceride levels and reduce cholesterol by eating foods that...
-
Salt & Low Sodium Diet Quiz
Do you love salt? Take the online Salt Quiz to get the facts about dietary salts and sodium in fruits, vegetables, processed...
-
High Protein Diets: Good or Bad?
Can a high protein diet help you lose weight fast and help you feel full? High-protein diets are popular, but is there a down...
-
Stroke Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Take the Stroke Quiz to learn about stroke risks, causes, treatment, and most importantly, prevention.
-
Fat and Fats Quiz: Fatty Food & Body Fat Percentage
Take this online Fat & Fats Quiz to learn if you really are what you eat!
-
Sugar Quiz: Facts on Diet & Sugar
Sugar lurks in surprising places. Take the Sugar Quiz to learn of the many ways sugar sneaks into your diet and see what you know...
-
Food Portion Distortion Quiz: Correct Serving Size
Are your portions deceiving you? Take the Food Portion Distortion Quiz to find out how and why gigantic portions trick you into...
-
Protein Quiz: Foods High in Protein
Protein is a staple in our diets, but what happens if we get too much? Take this quiz to find out the truth about protein and...
-
High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
High cholesterol can be a dangerous condition. Take the Cholesterol Quiz to understand what high cholesterol means in terms of...
-
Superfoods Quiz: List of Top Superfoods
Take our Superfoods Quiz! Get to know how unprocessed, raw, organic foods and healthy drinks are rich in nutrients and dietary...
-
Heart Disease Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Take our Heart Disease Quiz to get answers and facts about high cholesterol, atherosclerosis prevention, and the causes,...
-
What Are Triglycerides? How to Lower Triglyceride Levels
What is a triglyceride? What are high triglycerides? Triglyceride levels need to be kept in check for good health, but you need...
-
Picture of Cholesterol
Cholesterol carried in particles of low density (LDL cholesterol) is referred to as the "bad" cholesterol because elevated levels...
-
Cholesterol & Triglycerides: Mistakes That Can Affect Your Cholesterol
High cholesterol can be trouble. Find out from WebMD's slideshow if you’re doing things that can make it harder to keep your...
-
12 Reasons to Love the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is a delicious way to eat healthy. We show you how to get the most from this diet with foods like olive...
-
Cholesterol & Triglycerides: Surprising Causes of High Cholesterol
You may think high cholesterol is linked to fatty foods and smoking. But some other causes may surprise you: certain coffees,...
-
13 Easy Ways to Eat More Greens
Learn 13 easy ways to add more greens to your diet. Discover how to add kale, spinach, broccoli rabe and more into your diet.
-
Fast-Food Sandwiches: Good and Bad Choices For Your Diet
Want to know what the good and bad fast-food sandwiches choices are? Our experts explore the nutrition facts of major restaurant...
-
Tips to Eat Healthy When You Dine Out in Pictures
Recognize the dangers of eating out and stay on your healthy diet at restaurants. Learn about healthy eating at restaurants,...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Liver Disease
Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases, for example, gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause and may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
-
What Are the Normal Cholesterol Levels According to Age?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all the cells of the body. It is a type of fat that is produced by the liver. Cholesterol also comes from animal-derived foods, such as meat and dairy products.
-
Stroke
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, 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.
-
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
A heart attack occurs when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. Learn about warning signs, causes, complications, risk factors, and treatment.
-
Heart Disease
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.
-
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the functioning of the nerves outside of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, weakness, burning pain (especially at night), and loss of reflexes. Possible causes may include carpel tunnel syndrome, shingles, vitamin or nutritional deficiencies, and illnesses like diabetes, syphilis, AIDS, and kidney failure. Peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed with exams and tests. Treatment for the condition depends on the cause. Usually, the prognosis for peripheral neuropathy is good if the cause can be successfully treated or prevented.
-
Rhabdomyolysis
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.
-
What Is the Difference Between Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis is a broader term for the condition in which the arteries narrow and harden, leading to poor circulation of blood throughout the body. Atherosclerosis is a specific kind of arteriosclerosis, but these terms are often used interchangeably. Both conditions lead to decreased blood flow to other parts of the body. Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease, which may either start in childhood or late adulthood.
-
Cholesterol (Lowering Your Cholesterol)
High cholesterol and triglyceride levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Getting your cholesterol and triglyceride levels in an optimal range will help protect your heart and blood vessels. Cholesterol management may include lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise) as well as medications to get your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides in an optimal range.
-
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain. While there are many causes of peripheral vascular disease, doctors commonly use the term peripheral vascular disease to refer to peripheral artery disease (peripheral arterial disease, PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis. Peripheral artery disease symptoms include intermittent leg pain while walking, leg pain at rest, numbness in the legs or feet, and poor wound healing in the legs or feet. Treatment for peripheral artery disease include lifestyle measures, medication, angioplasty, and surgery.
-
Angina Symptoms
Angina is chest pain due to inadequate blood supply to the heart. Angina symptoms may include chest tightness, burning, squeezing, and aching. Coronary artery disease is the main cause of angina but there are other causes. Angina is diagnosed by taking the patient's medical history and performing tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), blood test, stress test, echocardiogram, cardiac CT scan, and heart catheterization. Treatment of angina usually includes lifestyle modification, medication, and sometimes, surgery. The risk of angina can be reduced by following a heart healthy lifestyle.
-
Atherosclerosis and Erectile Dysfunction
Second Source article from WebMD
-
High Blood Cholesterol
Second Source article from Government
-
Fatty Liver (NASH)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NASH occurs due to the accumulation of abnormal amounts of fat within the liver. Fatty liver most likely caused by obesity and diabetes. Symptoms of fatty liver disease are primarily the complications of cirrhosis of the liver; and may include mental changes, liver cancer, the accumulation of fluid in the body (ascites, edema), and gastrointestinal bleeding. Treatment for fatty liver includes avoiding certain foods and alcohol. Exercise, weight loss, bariatric surgery, and liver transplantation are treatments for fatty liver disease.
-
Lower Cholesterol Levels with Diet and Medications
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is considered "good" cholesterol because it actually works to keep the LDL or "bad" cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Foods like extra lean meats, skim milk, and vegetable-based "butter-like" substitutes may help decrease LDL levels in the bloodstream.
-
What Level of Cholesterol Is Too Low?
You know high cholesterol is bad, but can your cholesterol be too low? Yes. While less common, low cholesterol can affect your health as well.
-
What Is the Normal Range for Cholesterol Levels?
What is the normal range for cholesterol levels? Learn what cholesterol levels are, why cholesterol levels change, how doctors diagnose cholesterol levels, and what you can do to treat high cholesterol levels.
-
Claudication
Intermittent claudication, or pain and cramping in the lower leg is caused by inadequate blood flow to the leg muscles. This lack of blood flow causes a decrease in oxygen delivered to the muscles of the legs. Claudication is generally felt when walking and decreases with rest. In severe cases, claudication may be felt at rest. Narrowing of arteries cause claudication. Treatment includes exercise, medication, and in some cases surgery.
-
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that help decrease one's cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Omega-3s are found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, and canola oil. These fats may help reduce the risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.
-
What Are the Worst Foods for High Cholesterol?
What foods are high in bad cholesterol? Learn about the worst foods to avoid if you have high cholesterol.
-
Is Squid Rich in Cholesterol?
Squid is part of the same family as oysters, scallops and octopus. Squid is often eaten deep fried. This is known as calamari. Unlike many other animal products, squid is low in saturated fat. Doctors usually do not advise saturated fat to people with high cholesterol. When squid is deep fried, total fat and saturated fat increase.
-
What Reduces Cholesterol Quickly?
High blood cholesterol levels can be managed to a great extent with lifestyle changes. However, not taking medicine isn’t a solution because only lifestyle changes may not be sufficient to treat high cholesterol levels.
-
Heart Attack Treatment
A heart attack involves damage or death of part of the heart muscle due to a blood clot. The aim of heart attack treatment is to prevent or stop this damage to the heart muscle. Heart attack treatments included medications, procedures, and surgeries to protect the heart muscle against injury.
-
HDL vs. LDL Cholesterol (Good and Bad)
HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or the "good" cholesterol, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or the "bad" cholesterol, are lipoproteins that carry cholesterol through the veins and arteries of the body. HDL and LDL combined, is your "total" blood cholesterol. The difference between the two are that high levels of the "good," or HDL cholesterol, may protect against narrowing of the blood vessels in the body, which protects you against heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. But high levels of LDL, or the "bad" cholesterol, may worsen the narrowing of the blood vessels in the body, which puts you at a greater risk of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular diseases, some of which are life threatening.Triglycerides are found in body fat and from the fats you eat.
-
How Dangerous Is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is an important molecule that serves many vital functions in the body. High cholesterol is dangerous because it may lead to atherosclerosis, which can result in conditions such as angina, heart attack, stroke and hypertension.
-
Heart Attack Pathology: Photo Essay
A heart attack is a layperson's term for a sudden blockage of a coronary artery. This photo essay includes graphics, pictures, and illustrations of diseased heart tissue and the mechanisms that lead to coronary artery disease, and possible heart attack. A coronary artery occlusion may be fatal, but most patients survive it. Death can occur when the occlusion leads to an abnormal heartbeat (severe arrhythmia) or death of heart muscle (extensive myocardial infarction).
-
Heart Attacks in Women
Heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart attacks. Women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and high triglycerides are contributors to heart disease. Some of the common symptoms of a heart attack in women include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, feeling faint or woozy, and more. Heart disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes and controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and diseases such as diabetes.
-
High Cholesterol: Frequently Asked Questions
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
-
Heart Attack Prevention
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.
-
Heart Disease in Women
Heart disease in women has somewhat different symptoms, risk factors, and treatment compared to heart disease in men. Many women and health professionals are not aware of the risk factors for heart disease in women and may delay diagnosis and treatment. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, tobacco use, overweight/obesity, stress, alcohol consumption, and depression influence heart disease risk in women. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes also increase women's risk of heart disease. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), stress-ECG, endothelial testing, ankle-brachial index (ABI), echocardiogram, nuclear imaging, electron beam CT, and lab tests to assess blood lipids and biomarkers of inflammation are used to diagnose heart disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women saves lives. Heart disease can be prevented and reversed with lifestyle changes.
-
What Are the 7 More Dangerous Medicines to Mix?
Some drug interactions can have serious side effects, while others may be lethal. You should avoid dangerous drug mistakes like mixing alcohol and opioids, warfarin and acetaminophen and few others.
-
What Are the Normal Cholesterol Levels By Age?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all the cells of the body. It is a type of fat that is produced by the liver. Cholesterol also comes from animal-derived foods, such as meat and dairy products. It is an essential substance needed by the body for various purposes. Too much cholesterol, however, harms the body and increases the risk of various medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart diseases.
-
What Are the Causes of High Cholesterol?
Your body naturally produces all the LDL (bad) cholesterol it needs. An unhealthy lifestyle – not enough exercise, too many unhealthy foods – makes your body produce more LDL cholesterol than it needs. This is the cause of high LDL cholesterol for most people.
-
Stroke Prevention
Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States. Some of the warning signs of stroke include sudden confusion, trouble seeing with one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance, and more. Stroke prevention and reatable risk factors for stroke include lowering high blood pressure, quit smoking, heart disease, diabetes control and prevention.
-
Heart Disease Treatment in Women
Heart disease treatment in women should take into account female-specific guidelines that were developed by the American Heart Association. Risk factors and symptoms of heart disease in women differ from those in men. Treatment may include lifestyle modification (diet, exercise, weight management, smoking cessation, stress reduction), medications, percutaneous intervention procedure (PCI), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Heart disease is reversible with treatment.

SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Your Cholesterol & Save Your Heart See SlideshowTreatment & Diagnosis
- Food Portion Distortion FAQs
- Superfoods FAQs
- Sugar FAQs
- Fat and Fats FAQs
- Heart Disease FAQs
- Stroke FAQs
- Salt FAQs
- High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) FAQs
- Protein FAQs
- Statins - - Doing More Than Lowering Your Cholesterol?
- Cholesterol: Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Cholesterol: The Truth About Cholesterol
- Cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Heart Attack Prevention From a Doctor's Perspective
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- Can Menopause Cause High Cholesterol?
- What Should Cholesterol Levels Be After Heart Attack?
- What are Cholesterol-Lowering Statins?
- Do Bile Acid Resins Lower Cholesterol?
- Can Fibrate Drugs Lower Cholesterol?
- How Do I Lower My Cholesterol (Triglycerides)
- Does Hypothyroidism Cause High Cholesterol?
- Does Exercise Lower Cholesterol?
- What Foods Lower Cholesterol?
- Does Stress Cause High Cholesterol?
- Cholesterol Treatment
- Grapefruit Juice and Drug Interactions
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
- Cholesterol, The Basics Of Prevention
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- Harms of Statins With Diabetes
- Statin Users May Have Added Protection Against Severe COVID-19
- Statin's Health Benefits Far Outweigh Any Potential Harms: Study
- Study Debunks Notion That Statin Meds Trigger Muscle Aches
- Are Cholesterol Statin Side Effects 'All in Your Head'?
- Computer 'Nudge' Spurs Doctors to Prescribe Statins to Heart Patients
- Statins Going Generic Saved Medicare Billions
- 75 or Older? Statins Can Still Benefit Your Heart
- Statins Tied to Significantly Lower Death Rate From Ovarian Cancer
- Statins Might Reduce Harms From Breast Cancer Chemo
- AHA News: Statins May Do Double Duty on Heart Disease and Cancer
- Statins Won't Harm Aging Brains, and May Even Help
- Is That Statin Doing You Any Good?
- Poor Circulation in Legs? Statin Meds Can Keep You Living Longer
- AHA News: Why Do Women Get Statins Less Frequently Than Men?
- Statins May Lower Risk of Stroke After Cancer Radiotherapy
- Heart Attack Treatment Could Cut 'Bad' Cholesterol by Half Within Hours
- AHA News: Why Are Women With Diabetes at Greater Risk for Poor Heart Health?
- Only Half of Patients Taking Statins Reach Cholesterol Targets: Study
- Pros, Cons to Multiple Meds for Nursing Home Residents
- Bad Info May Be Scaring Patients Away From Heart-Healthy Statins
- Heart Attacks Fall By One-Third Among Older Americans
- Despite Big Heart Benefits, Far Too Many Skip Statins
- Prescription Fish Oil Pill Lowers Heart Attack Risk in Those Already on Statins
- New Drug Could Help Those With Tough-to-Treat Cholesterol
- AHA News: Living Near Convenience Stores Could Raise Risk of Artery-Clogging Condition
- Statins Help the Heart, No Matter What Your Age
- Common Heart, Diabetes Meds May Help Ease Mental Illness
- New Cholesterol Drug's High Price May Not Be Worth It: Study
- AHA: New Report Emphasizes Safety of Statins
- Price of Cholesterol Drug Repatha Cut by 60 Percent
- Evidence Doesn't Support Statin Use in Healthy Seniors
- Health Tip: Grapefruit May Interact With Medication
- Do Statins Raise Odds for Type 2 Diabetes?
- Many Patients Denied Costly New Cholesterol Drugs
- Statins Help Healthy People Lower Their 'Bad' Cholesterol
- Statins May Help People With COPD Live Longer
- Calcium in Arteries May Best Predict Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke
- New Cholesterol Drugs Vastly Overpriced, Study Contends
- Powerful New Cholesterol Med Won't Harm Memory, Easing Concerns
- Heart Risk Up if Hospitalized for Pneumonia or Sepsis
- Less Than Half of U.S. Stroke Patients Get Rx for Statins
- Stopping Statins After Stroke May Raise Risk of Another
- Is the 'Anti-Statin' Trend Threatening Lives?
- Vaccine Curbs High Cholesterol in Mice
- Study Hints at Link Between Some Statins, Parkinson's Risk
- Healthy Dietary Fats Help Beat High Cholesterol
- New Cholesterol Fighting Meds Target Key Gene
- Study Casts Doubt on Need for Statins in the 'Healthy Old'
- Dying Patients Often Given Medicines That Won't Help Them
- Conflicting Statin Guidelines Leave Millions in 'Gray Zone'
- Who Really Needs Blood Pressure, Cholesterol Meds?
- Guidelines May Miss Need for Statins in Many U.S. Blacks
- New Cholesterol Drugs May Beat Statins, But Price Tag Is High
- Taking Statins May Boost Heart Surgery Outcomes
- Fish Oil Pills May Help After Heart Attack, Specialists Say
- Cholesterol's Impact on Heart Attack Risk May Change With Age
- 'Red Yeast Rice' Statin Alternative Not Harmless Either, Study Says
- Many Young Adults With High Cholesterol Not on Statins as Recommended
- HIV May Double Odds of Heart Attack
- Whether Statins Cut Alzheimer's Risk May Depend on Gender, Race
- Drug Combo for Irregular Heartbeat Might Raise Bleeding Risk
- Coming Soon: Lower Cholesterol From a Twice-a-Year Shot?
- High-Dose Statins Boost Survival: Study
- Parent-Child Screening Urged for Inherited Heart Condition
- Take Meds as Directed to Boost Survival After Heart Procedures
- Statins Often Interact With Other Heart Drugs
- Are There Alternatives to Statins?
- Many With Diabetes Missing Out on Statins
- Intensive Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Can Extend Survival: Study
- Cutting Down on Sweets Can Help Kids' Hearts
- Could Statins Help Fight Cancer?
- Another Potential Use for Statins?
- Can Drugmakers Buy Doctors' Loyalty With Cheap Meals?
- Just a Little of Statins' Effect Enough to Help Heart: Study
- Statins Might Protect People With Narrowed Leg Arteries
- No Statins Before Heart Surgery, Study Suggests
- Many Heart Bypass Patients Don't Take Needed Meds
- Statins Might Not Lower Colon Cancer Risk: Study
- Could Certain Fatty Foods Be Linked to Aggressive Prostate Cancer?
- Metformin Safer for Heart Than Other Common Type 2 Diabetes Drugs: Study
- Skipping Meds Greatly Ups Heart Patients' Risk of Stroke: Study
- Statins Aid Bypass Surgery Recovery, Research Shows
- Statins May Reduce Heart Risks Linked to Sleep Apnea: Study
- Newer Blood Pressure Drugs as Good as Older Ones: Study
- Should You Be Taking Aspirin Daily?
- U.S. Task Force Backs Statins for Those 40 to 75 at Heightened Heart Risk
- People with Type 2 Diabetes May Be Overtested
- Negative News on Statins Tied to Dropped Prescriptions
- 1 in 8 American Adults Still Have High Cholesterol: CDC
- Angioplasty May Not Boost Survival for Some Heart Disease Patients
- Prescription Drug Use on the Rise in U.S.
- Statins May Dampen Protective Powers of Flu Vaccines
- No Need to Stop Taking Statins Before Surgery, Study Finds
- Heart Patients Worldwide Missing Out on Key Drugs
- Younger Women Less Likely to Take Meds After Heart Attack
- Knee, Hip Replacement Surgeries Linked to Heart Risks
- FDA Approves Second Drug in New Class of Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
- Sharp Spike Seen in Statin Use in Elderly Without Heart Disease
- Praluent Approved to Treat High Cholesterol
- FDA OKs First of New Class of Cholesterol Drugs
- Are We Taking Some Medicines for Too Long?
- Wider Use of Statin Drugs Could Save Thousands More Lives: Report
- Do Cholesterol Drugs Affect Aggression?
- Statins Might Reduce Complications After Major Lung Surgery
- Can U.S. Health-Care System Afford New, Improved Cholesterol Drugs?
- A New Way to Treat High Cholesterol?
- FDA Advisers Recommend Approval of First of 2 New Cholesterol Drugs
- Statins Pose No Greater Harm to Memory, Study Suggests
- Cholesterol Drugs May Boost Outcomes After Bypass
- Cholesterol Drugs May Lower Stroke Risk for Healthy Older Adults
- Statins May Slow Prostate Cancer Progression: Study
- Americans' Blood Triglyceride Levels Dropping: CDC
- Can Statins Help Lower Lung Cancer Death Risk?
- New Drug Class Slashes 'Bad' Cholesterol, Review Finds
- Statins Carry Some Risk for Seniors, Study Suggests
- New Guidelines Would Greatly Boost Number of Young People on Statins
- Terminally Ill Can Do Without Statins, Study Finds
- Stents Meant to Prevent Stroke May Actually Boost Risk
- Latest Diabetes Care Guidelines Focus on Individual Approach
- Experimental Drug Shows Promise in Lowering Cholesterol, Heart Attack Risk
- Statins May Help Improve Prostate Cancer Survival: Study
- Easing Depression May Boost Heart Health, Study Finds
- Statins Linked to Raised Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
- Poor Response to Statins May Mean Clogged Arteries
- 'Calculators' Doctors Use May Overestimate Heart Risks, Study Says
- Prolonged High Cholesterol in Middle Age Raises Heart Risk Later: Study
- Nearly All Diabetics Should Be on Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs: Experts
- Number of Americans Taking Statins Keeps Rising: CDC
- Daily Statin Might Raise Your Risk for Cataracts: Study
- Statins Won't Help Protect Bones, Study Finds
- Most Seniors Could Use Statins Under New Guidelines
- New Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Show Promise
- Cholesterol Drug Vytorin Linked to Reduced Heart Attack Risk
- Experimental Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Effective, Study Reports
- Bed Position Matters for Stroke Patients, Report Shows
- Some Lung Patients Buy Cigarettes Along With Meds at Pharmacies: Study
- High Cholesterol Tied to Prostate Cancer's Return in Study
- Scientists Explain Why Statins Raise Diabetes Risk
- Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Help After Certain Strokes
- Heart Attack Patients Face Greater Death Risk if Any Treatment Step Missed: Study
- Older Patients More Likely to Fill Prescriptions for Generic Statins: Study
- Statins May Help Kids With Genetic Cholesterol Disorder
- Statins May Help Prevent Diabetes-Related Nerve Damage, Study Finds
- More Docs Wonder If Statins Are Worth the Risks
- Cholesterol Drugs' Benefits Far Outweigh Side Effects, Review Finds
- Statins May Aid Survival From Colon Cancer
- Cholesterol Drugs May Speed Healing After Surgery
- Is Obesity an Advantage After Heart Procedures?
- Niacin Doesn't Reduce Heart Problems, May Create Some, Research Finds
- Cholesterol Levels May Be Linked to Breast Cancer Risk
- People With Heart Disease, Diabetes May Be More Likely to Stay on Statins
- Heart Patients Without Artery Plaque Buildup Still Face Risks: Study
- Stopping Statins for Terminal Patients a Safe Option: Study
- More Americans Working to Control Blood Pressure, Cholesterol: CDC
- New Drug May Help Lower 'Bad' Cholesterol Beyond Statins
- Prescription Drug Use Continues to Climb in U.S.
- Statin Users Eating More Bad Food Than a Decade Ago, Study Shows
- Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Boost a Man's Sex Life: Study
- New Drug Lowers Cholesterol Beyond What Statins Can Do, Study Finds
- Many Kids May Have High Cholesterol, Regardless of Weight
- Almost 13 Million More Americans Could Take Statins Under New Guidelines
- Low-Dose Statins Good Option for Some Heart Patients: Study
- Minority Patients Less Likely to Stick With Heart Attack Meds: Study
- Design Flaws Plague Many Animal-Based Drug Studies, Researchers Say
- Statin Therapy May Prevent Delirium in Critically Ill Patients
- New Blood Pressure Guidelines Raise the Bar for Taking Medications
- Some Doctors Challenge New Statin Guidelines
- Could Vaccines Someday Improve Heart Health?
- Statins Not Linked to Memory Loss, Dementia, Review Suggests
- New Cholesterol Drug Guidelines: Q&A
- Heart Experts Warn Against 'Crash' Diets
- New Guidelines May Widen Use of Statins
- Can 'Good' Cholesterol Protect Against MS?
- Urine Test May Spot Heart, Kidney Risk in Kids With Type 1 Diabetes
- Metformin Won't Help Heart Patients Without Diabetes: Study
- Statin Use Linked to Lower Prostate Cancer Death Risk
- Some Improvement Seen in U.S. Cholesterol Levels: CDC
- Efforts to Improve Intensive-Care Outcomes Produce Mixed Results
- Cholesterol Drugs May Boost Your Gums' Health, Too
- New Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Shows Early Promise
- Statins May Not Harm Memory, Thinking After All
- Statins Linked to Raised Risk of Cataracts in Study
- Should Everyone Over 65 Take a Statin?
- High Cholesterol May Be Particularly Bad for Middle-Aged Men
- Statin Use May Reduce Parkinson's Risk, Study Says
- Drug for Pulmonary Hypertension Shows 'Modest' Benefit in Studies
- Most Statin Users Won't Have Major Side Effects
- Stronger Statins Don't Up Kidney Injury Risk, Study Finds
- Statins Plus Certain Antibiotics May Set Off Toxic Reaction: Study
- Pace of New Drug Advances May Be Slowing, Study Finds
- Cholesterol Drugs Linked to Muscle, Joint Problems: Study
- Statins May Hamper Workout Results
- Could Statins Raise Diabetes Risk?
- Cholesterol Drugs Might Boost Kidney Cancer Survival
- Statin Side Effects Often Manageable: Study
- Modest Cardiac Benefit From Chelation Therapy Not Enough to OK Use: Experts
- High-Dose Statins Linked to Acute Kidney Damage
- Niacin Won't Help, May Harm Heart Patients: Study
- Drug May Ease Angina in People With Type 2 Diabetes
- Study: Mega Vitamins Won't Help After Heart Attack, Chelation Treatment Might
- TV Ads for Statins May Drive Overtreatment
- Niacin-Statin Combo May Cause Side Effects for Heart Patients
- Healthy Diet May Prevent Additional Heart Trouble
- Statins Plus Exercise Best at Lowering Cholesterol, Study Finds
- New Drug to Lower 'Bad' Cholesterol Shows Promise
- Transcendental Meditation May Lower Heart Risk
- Statins Linked to Reduced Cancer Death
- New Drug May Help Those Who Can't Take Statins
- Many Older Heart Attack Survivors Don't Stick With Meds
- Cholesterol Levels Down Among U.S. Adults
- Statins Tied to Reduced Glaucoma Risk
- Many Heart Attacks May Go Unrecognized in Seniors
- Statin Use Tied to Possible Boost in Cataract Risk
- Statins Won't Hurt, Might Even Help, Your Pancreas: Study
- Statin Diabetes Risk Limited to Those at High Risk
- Fish Oil Doesn't Lower Heart Risk in Diabetics
- The Health Benefits, and Risks, of Alcohol
- Statins May Work Better in Men Than in Women
- Fish Oil Won't Save Diabetics' Hearts, Research Suggests
- Study: Statins May Be Linked to Fatigue
- Daily Low-Dose Aspirin Risks Seem to Outweigh Gains for Many: Study
- Some Cholesterol Drugs May Slow Prostate Growth
- Benefits of Widespread Statin Use Outweigh Risks: Study
- Statins May Help Prevent Irregular Heartbeat in Elderly
- Rate of Statin-Linked Muscle Woes Unclear, Study Suggests
- Cholesterol Levels in the U.S. on the Decline
- Role of Screening, Monitoring in Early Kidney Disease Unclear
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Who Quit Statins May Face Raised Death Risk
- New Injection Might Lower Tough-to-Treat Cholesterol
- Biologic Drug Lowers LDL Cholesterol
- Showing Patients Images of Their Clogged Arteries a Powerful Wake-Up Call
- Low 'Bad' Cholesterol Levels May Be Linked to Cancer Risk
- Statin Alternative Looks Promising in Early Trials
- Test May Spot Heart Attacks Before They Happen
- Could Statins Help Prevent Pneumonia?
- Depression Tied to Earlier Death in Heart Patients
- Can Statins Prevent Parkinson's Disease?
- Statin Risks Outweighed by Statin Benefits
- Could a Statin Lower Your Risk for Depression?
- New Warnings on Cholesterol-Lowering Statins
- Heart Disease May Be Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer
- It's 'Buyer Beware' When Getting Statins Off the Internet
- Statins Equally Effective in Women and Men
- Statins May Stave Off Liver Cancer in People With Hepatitis B
- Statins May Raise Diabetes Risk in Older Women
- Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Tied to Flu Survival
- Generic Lipitor FAQ
- Heart Attack Complications More Likely for Women Smokers
- Raising 'Good' Cholesterol May Cut Heart Risk in Diabetes Patients
- FDA Limits Highest Dose of Cholesterol Drug Statin (Includes Zocor, Vytorin, Simcor)
- Trial Stopped After Niacin Brings No Benefit to Heart Patients
- Many Heart Patients Aren't Taking Needed Drugs
- 'Mini-Strokes' May Increase Risk of Heart Attack
- Osteoporosis Drugs Linked to Lower Cancer Risk
- Where Do the Most Active People Live?
- New Debate on C-Reactive Protein Test and Statins
- Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Cut RA Risk
- Cholesterol Study: Low HDL May Not Be So Bad
- Stroke Patients Discharged Without Statins
- Statins May Lower Testosterone, Libido
- Should Healthy People Take Statins?
- FDA Warns of Zocor Risk to Muscles
- Statins May Be Linked to Diabetes Risk
Latest Cholesterol News
Daily Health News
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
From 
Cholesterol Resources
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.