Were You Prescribed a Statin? Here's What You Need to Know!
Date: 08/25/22
Most heart attacks and strokes are preventable by making healthy lifestyle choices. However, in some cases your provider may prescribe you a medication like statin for extra support. Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol.
How Does a Statin Work?
High cholesterol can lead to blood clots and cause heart attacks and strokes. Some of the cholesterol in your blood comes from food, but most of it is made by the liver. A statin works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. This helps the liver remove cholesterol that is already in the blood. This is what causes the lower cholesterol levels.
The benefits of a statin may be different depending on your risk of having heart attacks or strokes. It is important to talk with your doctor about your risks, benefits, and concerns. Together you can make a good decision for your healthiest future.
Your doctor may recommend you take a statin if you:
- Have had a heart attack or stroke,
- Have diabetes,
- Have very high “bad” cholesterol levels,
- Are at high risk for heart disease,
- Are at high risk of getting a stroke due to other factors like high blood pressure.
When it is taken correctly, a statin can reduce a person’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Taking a Statin
Take your medicine as directed by your provider. A statin comes as a tablet. It usually is taken once a day.
For some types of statin medications, it does not matter what time of day you take it as long as you take it at the same time. Some should be taken at night. Check with your provider whether there's a particular time of day you should take your statin.
Statins come in different doses, depending on how much you need to lower your cholesterol. Do not stop taking your medicine without talking with your provider first.
A statin can sometimes interact with other medicines. This can cause side effects. That’s why it's very important to read the label on the bottle carefully. Some brands of statin should be taken with food. Others may be taken with, or without food. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you have questions about how to take your medicine.
If you accidentally take too many statin tablets (more than your usual daily dose), contact your provider or pharmacist for advice or call 911.
Remember: Store all of your medicines in a cool, dry place. Keep them where children cannot get to them.
You should follow a healthy diet while taking statins. This includes eating less fat in your diet. Other ways you can help your heart include:
- Getting regular exercise
- Managing stress
- Quitting smoking
- Weight loss
Your cholesterol level will go back up if you stop taking statins. You usually have to continue taking statins for life because of this.
The Benefits of Taking a Statin
Taking a statin can cut a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke in half. The higher a person’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke, the stronger the benefit of the statin. The benefit also increases the longer you take it.
Are there risks when taking a Statin?
Serious risks are rare. About one in four people taking a statin have some type of symptom. The most common symptoms are muscle aches and weakness.
Very uncommon risks include liver dysfunction, muscle damage that can usually be detected with a blood test, increased blood sugar levels, or new-onset diabetes in those who are at risk of developing diabetes.
Important: The large benefit of taking statins to prevent heart attacks and strokes likely outweighs the mild side effects.
While you’re taking statins, you should contact your provider if your muscles or joints hurt or if you feel weak, have a fever or your urine is dark. Sometimes, a different statin will not cause the same side effects and you can tolerate it much better.