Statins are widely prescribed medicines used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes.

According to health experts cited in the article, statins work primarily by lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein), often referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol, and can also help reduce triglyceride levels.By reducing cholesterol in the bloodstream, they help prevent the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, thereby supporting heart health.

A large body of research, including a comprehensive study published in The Lancet involving more than 120,000 participants across 19 clinical trials, suggests that many of the side effects commonly associated with statins may not be directly caused by the medication itself.

Conditions such as fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances and depression were found not to show a significant increase in risk compared with placebo groups.

Statins are usually prescribed to individuals with high cholesterol, but they may also be recommended for people with normal cholesterol who have elevated cardiovascular risk due to factors such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of early heart disease.Doctors typically assess overall risk using clinical calculators before recommending treatment, rather than relying solely on cholesterol levels.

There are several types of statins available in the UK, including atorvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin, with atorvastatin being the most commonly prescribed.Treatment is generally long-term and often lifelong, with regular blood tests used to monitor cholesterol levels and liver function.Patients are advised to combine statin use with healthy lifestyle changes such as improved diet, regular exercise and stopping smoking.

Certain precautions are also noted, including potential interactions with other medications and avoiding grapefruit, which can affect how statins work in the body.