What class of medications includes atorvastatin and simvastatin?

Atorvastatin and simvastatin are both part of a class of medications known as statins. Statins are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, which helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. They work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol, thereby effectively decreasing overall cholesterol levels, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol.

The statin class also includes other medications that share similar mechanisms and effects. While each statin may have different potencies, dosing regimens, and side effect profiles, they fundamentally serve the same purpose in managing cholesterol levels and preventing cardiovascular events. The other medication classes listed in the choices—beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers—have different therapeutic uses and mechanisms of action, focusing on blood pressure control, heart rate, and other cardiovascular conditions, but do not have the same cholesterol-lowering effects as statins.