Opinion: Statins aren't perfect but can save your life

High total and bad cholesterol (LDL) are both major risk factors for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries/plaque). This disease can cause slowly enlarging partial blockages in coronary arteries, which can result in angina (chest pain with exertion). When coronary plaque ruptures suddenly, the resultant blood clot totally blocks the artery, resulting in a heart attack, 20 percent of which are fatal.