Statins are a type of medicine used to lower cholesterol levels and help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. These medicines block an enzyme the body needs to produce cholesterol, thereby lowering the total amount of it in the blood.

Along with reducing cholesterol levels in the blood, statins reduce inflammation around the cholesterol buildup (called a plaque). By stabilizing the plaque, there is less risk that it will rupture and cause a blood clot that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Statins are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.