The Importance of Statins
Dr. Anita Aderinkomi provides professional insight to answer your medication questions.
Member: I've heard a lot about managing cholesterol through diet and exercise. If I'm already making healthy changes, do I still need to take my statin? —Ben, Princeton
Dr. Aderinkomi: Thank you for your question, Ben. Sometimes you can lower your cholesterol through diet and exercise alone. But many people need more support to reach healthy cholesterol levels. That’s where statins come in.
More than 92 million Americans take statins. They help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or what’s known as “bad” cholesterol, by reducing the amount your liver produces. Over time, LDL can build up like plaque inside your arteries, which reduces your blood flow. When too much builds up, it can cause a stroke or heart attack.
Statins help lower LDL cholesterol, which reduces the amount of plaque buildup, swelling in the artery walls and the chance of blood clots. For many people, they’re a key part of protecting their long-term heart health.
Recent guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommend statin therapy in various situations. When someone reaches a healthy cholesterol level with its help, it’s likely they’ll need to stay on it indefinitely. Otherwise, their cholesterol levels will start to come back up.
Some people are more at risk than others. Risk factors can include smoking, obesity, family history of heart disease and more. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke, making it even more important for them to follow their treatment plan.
Even if you feel you’re making strong improvements with lifestyle changes alone, it’s important to take your medication as prescribed. Your statin should be taken around the same time every day. If you have concerns about the statin you are taking or think you may no longer need it, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you’re worried about remembering to take your medication, ask your pharmacist if they can give you a 90-day supply. That way you’ll have fewer refills to keep track of and it will be easier to avoid any gaps in treatment.
Statins play an important role in lowering cholesterol. And healthy habits can help support those results. If your provider prescribed a statin, taking it as directed will help you stay on track.
