What is the primary therapeutic use of statins?

Statins are primarily used for their ability to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. By lowering LDL cholesterol, statins significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and stroke. This protective effect against heart attacks is well-documented in numerous clinical studies, establishing statins as a cornerstone in the management of patients with high cholesterol and those at risk for cardiovascular events.

The other options, while they represent important health concerns, do not align with the primary therapeutic action of statins. Lowering blood sugar levels pertains more to medications used in the management of diabetes, treating hypertension involves antihypertensive medications, and alleviating pain is typically addressed through analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, the efficacy of statins in reducing the risk of heart attacks makes this option the most accurate representation of their primary therapeutic use.