What is the primary effect of statins on cholesterol levels?

Statins are a class of medications primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Their primary mechanism of action is to inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a key role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. As a result of this inhibition, statins effectively decrease the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Elevated LDL levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, so reducing LDL cholesterol through statin therapy is a crucial strategy for improving heart health and reducing the risk of events like heart attacks and strokes.

While statins can have a modest effect on increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is known as "good" cholesterol, this is not their primary effect. They do not have a significant impact on triglyceride levels for most patients, and they also do not directly reduce blood pressure. Therefore, the primary and most clinically significant outcome of statin therapy is the reduction of LDL cholesterol, aligning with the goal of addressing dyslipidemia and preventing cardiovascular complications.