Cholesterol and Statins: In a Nutshell (Nursing)

00:01 Let's wrap up this look at statins.

00:03 Cholesterol is not a bad thing.

00:05 It is in every membrane of our cells.

00:08 We think LDL is the biggest contributor to atherosclerosis.

00:12 So, lifestyle, diet, and exercise can help significantly impact lowering our LDL levels and raising our HDL levels.

00:22 Statins are the most effective drug for lowering blood LDL and cholesterol levels if diet and lifestyle weren't enough.

00:29 Now, statins increase the number of LDL receptors in the liver, remember? That's a good thing because if I have more receptors in the liver, I get more LDL into the liver and out of the bloodstream.

00:41 The target we're looking for is an LDL < 100, or if you have high risk, < 70.

00:48 Most of the statins should be given at night for the most effective treatment for lowering LDL.

00:54 And remember, there are 2 rare adverse effects.

00:57 One is hepatotoxicity – remember, damage to your liver -- and myopathy.

01:02 Now, you'll see a new word there, rhabdomyolysis.

01:06 That is just a form of severe muscle damage. It's so bad that it ends up throwing your patient into renal failure.

01:14 So myopathy is muscle damage.

01:16 Rhabdomyolysis is such a severe muscle damage that it ends up causing renal failure.

01:22 So, you want to monitor both the liver function tests and creatinine kinase levels.

01:28 Thank you for watching our video today.