What is the primary use of statins in pharmacology?

Statins are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. This medication class works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, which plays a crucial role in the synthesis of cholesterol. As a result, statins effectively decrease the production of cholesterol in the liver and lead to a reduction in circulating LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream.

The lowering of cholesterol levels is significant because elevated LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, which can lead to cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Thus, statins are commonly prescribed not only for individuals with high cholesterol levels but also as a preventive measure in patients at risk for heart disease.

Other options focus on unrelated therapeutic uses: increasing blood pressure is not a function of statins; alleviating pain typically involves analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs; and treating viral infections is managed with antiviral medications, not statins. Therefore, option B accurately represents the primary use of statins in pharmacology.