statin

American  

[stat-n] / ˈstæt n /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. any of a class of drugs that reduce the levels of lipids in the blood by altering the enzyme activity in the liver that produces lipids: used in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

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statin British  

/ ˈstætɪn /

noun

1. any of a class of drugs, including atorvastatin and simvastatin, that lower the levels of low-density lipoproteins in the blood by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver

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statin Scientific  

/ stăt′n /

1. Any of a class of drugs that inhibit a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of cholesterol and promote receptor binding of LDL-cholesterol, resulting in decreased levels of serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and increased levels of HDL-cholesterol.

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Etymology

Origin of statin

First recorded in 1985–90; extracted from (lova)statin and other drugs in this class

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Explanation

A statin is a kind of medicine that can help lower a person's cholesterol. By taking statins, many patients lower their risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Some of the cholesterol in our blood comes from the food we eat, but most is produced by our livers. When cholesterol is too high, fat can build up inside our arteries and cause cardiovascular disease. Statins reduce the cholesterol made by the liver. Statin is from the Latin stare, "remain or stand still," and is often used as a suffix in names for drugs that stop something; in this case, statins bring rising cholesterol to a halt.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

statin

According to Muhlestein, many people who suffer their first heart attack, particularly younger adults, would not previously have been classified as having enough cardiovascular risk to justify statin treatment.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026

Participants evaluated using traditional risk scores received recommendations to start statin therapy more than three times as often as those whose decisions were guided by coronary calcium measurements.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026

For these individuals, evidence of calcium buildup may help doctors make more informed decisions when the need for statin therapy is uncertain.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026

He went on a statin, started taking a blood-pressure medication, and ordered a Galleri test.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

A man has a pleasure in statin thae things o' a father.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Vol. XX by Alexander Leighton

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