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Atorvastatin is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called statins. It is commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Atorvastatin works by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a crucial role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By blocking this enzyme, atorvastatin reduces the amount of cholesterol produced, leading to a decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood.
Additionally, atorvastatin can increase the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol. It also helps to reduce triglyceride levels, another type of fat in the blood.
By lowering cholesterol levels, atorvastatin helps to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries). This, in turn, reduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.