Over the past 36 years, the global market has witnessed a substantial demand for Statins. As a result Statins have proved to be a highly profitable and lucrative market in pharmaceutical sector. This rise in statin consumption has been mainly recognized due to its cholesterol lowering effect, particularly, the low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body.^[1] Increased levels of LDL are considered to be one of the major risk factor that predisposes heart patients towards heart attack. Noticeably, heart disease is the number one cause of death in U.S and, increasing, worldwide. A large number of placebo-controlled studies showed that Statins can substantially reduce mortality in high risk patients, but no history of heart disease. The American Heart Association  and the American College of Cardiology have provided guidelines wherein Statin treatment should be used for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults with a 10-year risk of developing heart attack or stroke of 7.5% or more; LDL cholesterol ≥ 190 mg/dL or those with diabetes, age 40–75 with LDL-C 70–190 mg/dl.^[2] The safety of statins became noticeable when cerivastatin was withdrawn worldwide in August 2001 as it caused fatal rhabdomyolysis.^[3] In this review article we will be emphasizing on the studies which will underpin the risks associated with statins from cholesterol point of view.

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Dr Varshiesh Raina