Final answer:
Statins such as Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin may be prescribed to patients with coronary artery disease, history of stroke, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, familial hypercholesterolemia, and high cholesterol with additional risk factors to lower the risk of future cardiovascular events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients may be placed on statins like Atorvastatin (Lipitor) or Rosuvastatin (Crestor) for various medical conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Here are six situations where a statin prescription is warranted:
- Presence of coronary artery disease (CAD), including history of heart attacks, to lower the risk of further cardiac events.
- Individuals with diabetes, which is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease and other vascular problems.
- Patients with high cholesterol levels and additional risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, or a family history of early heart disease.
Statins work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is crucial for the body's synthesis of cholesterol. This medication, along with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise modifications, can significantly reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, thus lowering the risk of future cardiovascular events.