Statins are a class of drugs that work to decrease

Statins are a class of drugs that work to decrease the level of cholesterol in the blood. They are able to perform this function by effectively blocking the cholesterol-producing enzyme in the liver. In recent years, statins have increased in utility and popularity.

Although a certain amount of cholesterol is imperative for the human body to function, an elevated level can cause a precarious situation in the body. Cholesterol affixes itself to arteries, lining them and inhibiting blood flow. Since less blood can travel through those encumbered arteries, the blood flow to the heart is adversely affected. Scientists have found that the walls of arteries in the body can become inflamed from this plaque buildup. In many instances, the end result of this decreased blood supply and inflammation is a heart attack –sometimes a fatal one. In other cases the blood supply to the brain is compromised by the plaque buildup, often causing a stroke. Decreased blood flow to the legs can cause leg pains or cramps. In short, arterial plaque buildup is never a healthy situation.

Statins diminish the amount of cholesterol generated by the body. Although the drugs are not always able to reduce the amount of plaque that may already be clogging arteries, they can slow the production of new plaque. The drugs are also able to stabilize the plaques that are already present and make them less likely to cause problems in the body. Lowered cholesterol does not guarantee that a heart attack won’t occur, but statin use will lower the risk for most patients. Not everyone who has a heart attack has high cholesterol levels, but most do have plaque formations on their arteries. It should be noted that the plaque is not always formed by high evels of cholesterol in the blood. Statins are generally prescribed by doctors for people with elevated cholesterol levels. As the mean weight of the American population has risen, so has the number of individuals with high cholesterol. Millions of men and women in this country are prescribed statins in an effort to decrease the amount of cholesterol in their blood. Remarkably, these effects can be seen in as little as two weeks after beginning a statin regime.

The author’s main point is that:

A. Cholesterol can cause heart attacks.
B. Statins can diminish the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
C. Most people have plaque buildup in their arteries.
D. Statins are not able to decrease the amount of plaque lining the arteries.
E. Heart attacks are not the only danger of high cholesterol.



Which of the following does the author imply about statins?

I. They can be lifesaving drugs.
II. They are overprescribed by doctors.
III. They are expensive drugs to produce.

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. II and III only



Which of the following is suggested about the American population?

A. Their life expectancy has decreased in the past few decades.
B. They don’t get enough exercise.
C. Their diet may be affecting their cholesterol levels.
D. They want an easy fix for a difficult problem.
E. There are a record number of heart disease deaths in the United States



According to the article, which of the following is true of statins?

I. They can help rid the arteries of dangerous plaque.
II. They are able to affect the body relatively quickly.
III. They are an inexpensive drug.

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. II and III only



According to the article, which is true of cholesterol?

I. A certain amount of cholesterol is needed by the body.
II. Cholesterol may be dangerous to the body.
III. A low cholesterol level means a person likely won’t have a heart attack.

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. II and III only




The author organizes the passage by:

A. enumerating reasons why statins are useful drugs.
B. debating the importance of statins.
C. criticizing the American public’s diet and health.
D. outlining ways to reduce cholesterol in the blood.
E. discussing ways doctors treat high cholesterol.