Cholesterol is largely produced by your liver and your body needs a certain amount to function. It is transported around the body via the blood system by combining with protein to form molecules called lipoproteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins (ldl cholesterol) and high density lipoproteins (hdl cholesterol).

An excess of ldl cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, collects in your blood vessels, causing them to thicken and harden (atherosclerosis), and potentially become completely blocked.

Hdl, or “good” cholesterol, removes excess ldl cholesterol from your bloodstream and transports it to the liver to be broken down and eliminated.

Pravastatin works by reducing the amount of ldl cholesterol made by the liver. It does this by blocking the action of a key enzyme required for cholesterol production. Pravastatin also reduces your levels of triglycerides, other ‘bad’ fats that are found in the blood.

By reducing the concentrations of hazardous fats in your body, pravastatin helps prevent you from developing heart disease or suffering a stroke or heart attack.

There are four groups of people who can benefit from taking pravastatin:

1. If you have high cholesterol and find that a regime of healthy eating and lifestyle choices is not effective enough in reducing your cholesterol levels.
2. If you have already suffered a heart attack or have unstable angina but you have normal cholesterol levels.
3. If you have had an organ transplant and your immunosuppressive medications are causing an increase in your lipid levels.
4. If you have genetically high cholesterol levels (familial hypercholesterolaemia). In this case, pravastatin may also be suitable for children aged 8-18.