What to Know About Statin Therapy

If you’re one of the 71 million people with high cholesterol and at risk for heart disease, you may have been encouraged to take a statin. 

For many patients, our providers at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology recommend statins as a tool in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. But as with any medication, you should understand how they work, who benefits, and how to use them safely as part of a plan to support heart health.

All about statins and how they work

Statins are medications that lower levels of LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. They reduce the amount of cholesterol your liver produces, while helping your body remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. 

Lower LDL levels mean less buildup of plaque in your arteries, which supports better blood flow and reduces your cardiovascular risk.

Candidates for statin therapy

Medical  professionals sometimes recommend statins for people who don’t have high overall cholesterol numbers. We might recommend statins for individuals who have:

• A history of heart disease or stroke
• Diabetes
• Elevated LDL cholesterol

If you have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease based on age, blood pressure, smoking status, and other factors, our cardiology team may also recommend statin therapy.

Benefits of statins

Statins are among the most studied medications in cardiovascular care. They have been shown to:

• Lower LDL cholesterol effectively
• Stabilize plaque in the arteries
• Reduce inflammation
• Decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke

For many patients, especially those at higher risk, the benefits are significant and long-term.

Statin side effects

Most people tolerate statins well, but some may experience side effects. The most commonly reported one is mild muscle aches or fatigue. 

Less commonly, you may notice changes in liver enzymes or blood sugar levels. Serious side effects are rare, and our team monitors your labs and symptoms to ensure the medication remains safe for you.

If side effects occur, we can make adjustments to the dose or type of statin. If needed, our team will consider alternative therapies for you. 

Statins as part of a comprehensive heart health plan

Medications like statins work best when paired with healthy lifestyle habits such as:

• A balanced, heart-healthy diet
• Regular physical activity
• Weight management
• Blood pressure control
• Smoking cessation

Think of statins as support for these foundational habits, not as a substitute.

Once we start you on a statin, we follow your progress with periodic lab work and check-ins. This helps ensure you see improvements in your cholesterol levels and that the medication continues to be right for you over time.

Support for heart health

Statin therapy doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people may try lifestyle changes first, while others may begin with statins. 

When we create a heart health plan for you, our goal is to help you reduce your long-term risk and help you feel confident in your care plan. If you’ve been prescribed a statin or think you should be, call us at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology or use our online tool to schedule your appointment.

We’re conveniently located near Boston in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and proudly extend our services to communities throughout Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, and Providence counties.