Cholesterol-lowering drug molecule. Computer model of a molecule of the cholesterol-lowering drug rosuvastatin (marketed as Crestor). Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded: carbon (light blue), hydrogen (white), oxygen (red), nitrogen (dark blue), sulphur (yellow) and fluorine (green). This drug reduces the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad' cholesterol) in the bloodstream. High levels of LDL cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) are a major cause of heart disease and strokes. Rosuvastatin works by blocking the effects of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which normally causes the body to produce LDL cholesterol from foods.