Caption

Atorvastatin cholesterol-lowering drug. Box containing tablets of the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin on an ECG (electrocardiogram) readout. Statins are used to lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad' cholesterol) in the bloodstream. High levels of LDL cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) are a major cause of heart disease and strokes. Statins work by blocking the effects of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which normally causes the body to produce LDL cholesterol from foods.