Should I take statins for high cholesterol?

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Introduction This information will help you understand your choices, whether you share in the decision-making process or rely on your doctor's recommendation. Key points in making your decision Lowering your high cholesterol can help you prevent a heart attack or stroke. Consider the following when making your decision: High cholesterol is only one of several risk factors for heart disease. To reduce your risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart attack, you need to reduce all of your risk factors, not just high cholesterol. Guidelines from the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Panel recommend more intensive treatment with statins for people who are at moderate to very high risk of CAD. 1 It is important, however, that you discuss with your doctor whether statins are appropriate for you individually, based on your condition and medical history. The choice is less clear for people who have moderately high cholesterol and few risk factors for CAD and heart attack. This group may find this decision point most helpful. Therapeutic lifestyle changes are as important as medicine in reducing your risk for CAD and heart attack. For some people, quitting smoking, reducing blood pressure, losing weight, or getting more exercise can have the same or greater impact on reducing the risk of heart disease than taking medicine.