Being diagnosed with high cholesterol should put you in a new frame of mind. Many people can control their cholesterol levels with diet and exercise. However, these steps may not be enough for some and a prescription drug may be necessary. Statins are a popular drug for lowering cholesterol, but their effects may go beyond just lowering cholesterol levels. Statins can help reduce C-reactive proteins and inhibit plaque buildup on artery walls.
Statin Drugs
Statins are medications generally prescribed for individuals with high cholesterol levels. They work by blocking your body's production of cholesterol. Your doctor may prescribe a statin drug for you, if he feels you are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease due to high cholesterol. Your total cholesterol level should be kept under 200 mg/dl.
C-Reactive Protein
When your brain signals to your body that there is an injury, the inflammation process occurs. For instance, think about the last time you accidentally fell and got hurt. First, there may be bleeding, then swelling, inflammation and heat. Another response is the production of the C-reactive protein. All of these reactions are set up to aid the body in healing the wound. The same goes on inside of your body; when there is damage to the arterial walls, the inflammation response occurs and C-reactive protein is produced. Doctors are able to use this protein as a marker for indicating your risk for atherosclerosis.
Statins and C-Reactive Protein
Regular administration of statin medications have been found to lower C-reactive protein levels in the blood. According to a study published in "The New England Journal of Medicine" in 2005, statin therapy lowers C-reactive protein in patients with high cholesterol and improves their prognosis. A patient's health could improve when statins are administered.
How It Works
Ctatins do more than just inhibit your body from producing cholesterol; they also inhibit and ingest cholesterol buildup on the arterial walls. Oxidized LDL cholesterol is one of the major components to plaque buildup on your arterial walls. If a statin can prevent and remove LDL cholesterol from the artery wall, there is a decreased chance of that you will suffer a heart attack or stroke.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Statins
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- American Heart Association: Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein
- "The New England Journal of Medicine"; C-Reactive Protein Levels and Outcomes after Statin Therapy; Paul M. Ridker, M.D., et al.; 2005
- "Exercise Testing and Prescription"; David C. Nieman; 2007
