What therapeutic effect do "-statins" provide?

What therapeutic effect do "-statins" provide?

• A. Lower blood pressure
• B. Reduce cholesterol levels
• C. Increase heart rate
• D. Alleviate pain

Answer: (B)

"-Statins" are a class of medications primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. They work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver. By reducing the production of cholesterol, statins help decrease the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as 'bad' cholesterol. This reduction is important because high cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Statins may also have additional benefits, such as stabilizing plaques in blood vessels and reducing inflammation, but their main therapeutic effect is the lowering of cholesterol levels. The other options do not reflect the primary use of statins. Lowering blood pressure is typically achieved through other classes of medications, such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers. Increasing heart rate is not a goal of statin therapy; in fact, statins are more likely to help reduce cardiovascular risk rather than alter heart rate significantly. Alleviating pain is unrelated to the primary function of statins, as they are not analgesics and do not address pain relief.

"-Statins" are a class of medications primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. They work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver. By reducing the production of cholesterol, statins help decrease the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as 'bad' cholesterol. This reduction is important because high cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Statins may also have additional benefits, such as stabilizing plaques in blood vessels and reducing inflammation, but their main therapeutic effect is the lowering of cholesterol levels.

The other options do not reflect the primary use of statins. Lowering blood pressure is typically achieved through other classes of medications, such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers. Increasing heart rate is not a goal of statin therapy; in fact, statins are more likely to help reduce cardiovascular risk rather than alter heart rate significantly. Alleviating pain is unrelated to the primary function of statins, as they are not analgesics and do not address pain relief.