Final answer:
Statins are used therapeutically to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a key role in cholesterol synthesis. They are crucial in managing cardiovascular risk, with potential supplementary agents and non-pharmacological options available for cholesterol management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main therapeutic use of statins is to lower cholesterol levels. Statins are a class of drugs that function as inhibitors of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is responsible for synthesizing cholesterol from lipids within the body. By reducing the activity of this enzyme, statins decrease the production of cholesterol, thus helping to manage high cholesterol levels that can be associated with cardiovascular diseases. Alongside dietary modifications, statins are a cornerstone in reducing cardiovascular risk. Other agents that may complement the cholesterol-lowering effects of statins include ezetimibe, niacin, and bile acid sequestrants. Additionally, there are non-pharmacological approaches like plant sterol-containing products and fatty acids that show some evidence of helping to manage cholesterol levels.