Statins: The Little Pills with Big Cardiovascular Benefits

If you have cardiovascular disease (CAD)-and even if you dont-your doctor may prescribe a statin to lower your cholesterol. Statins can lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol from 20 to 60 percent. No other medication is as effective in reducing heart attacks, strokes and the need for revascularization in people with CAD. For every 40 mg/dL reduction in LDL achieved with statins, the risk of cardiac death drops 19 percent, and the risk of death from all causes drops 12 percent.