title: Statins: The Good, the Bad, and the Unexpected.
abstract: More than 13 million Americans are taking statin drugs in order to lower cholesterol levels and thereby avoid potential cardiovascular disease. Home healthcare clinicians are well suited to educate patients about this sometimes-controversial medication class. The purpose of this article is to describe the link between cholesterol and statins, and to provide an overview for healthcare providers including drug actions, indications, and possible adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Diana R. Mager, DNP, RN-BC, is an Associate Professor, Fairfield University School of Nursing, Fairfield, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Diana R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mager
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D000075203:Contraindications, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol