Introduction: Dyslipidemia is a group of diseases whose common characteristic is the abnormal concentration of blood lipoproteins. An abnormally high concentration leads to the formation of arteriosclerosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, the main cause of mortality. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of hypercholesterolemia and to know the effects of the use of statins as treatment in primary and secondary prevention. Method: Systematic review in scientific databases of studies conducted in primary and secondary prevention for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia with statins assessing benefits and harms. Results: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia is increasing due to the lack of healthy life habits in the population. There are studies that indicate that levels close to normal can be improved with hygienicdietetic measures and when these levels reach a certain value or do not change with these measures, one must move on to pharmacological treatment with statins, always assessing the risks and benefits in each patient. . Conclusions: Hypercholesterolemia requires patient awareness in the problem of arteriosclerosis and its participation in the treatment since, being an asymptomatic disease in the early stages, many of them are not aware of the risks. Statins with their side effects are controversial and research continues on their use as a treatment.