What Statins Do to Cholesterol — and the Side Effects to Watch

Statins are among the most widely prescribed medicines for preventing heart attacks and strokes, but they are often misunderstood. They do not remove cholesterol from food or provide an immediate cure for blocked arteries.

Instead, statins reduce the liver’s cholesterol production and lower the amount of harmful LDL circulating in the blood. Most people experience few or no problems, although several genuine side effects and medicine interactions still require attention.