High Cholesterol: Cholesterol-Lowering Medication
Sometimes cholesterol medication is
recommended in addition to a low-saturated fat, low-refined carbohydrate, and
high-fiber diet to lower cholesterol.
Cholesterol is an important part of your
cells and also serves as the building block of some hormones. The liver makes
all the cholesterol the body needs. But cholesterol also enters your body from
dietary sources, such as animal-based foods like milk, eggs, and meat. Too much
cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
Recommended Related to Cholesterol Management
Your
health care provider may send you for cholesterol tests, either as a part of a
standard check-up or because he or she suspects you may be at risk for
developing heart disease. But do you know what the cholesterol test results
actually mean? Read on to learn how to interpret the numbers.
The
first line of treatment for abnormal cholesterol is usually to eat a diet low
in saturated and trans fats, and high in fruits and vegetables, nuts, and
seeds, and to increase exercise. But for some, these changes alone are not
enough to lower blood cholesterol levels. These people may need medicine, in
addition to making lifestyle changes, to bring their cholesterol down to a safe
level.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs include:
·Statins
·Niacin
·Bile-acid resins
·Fibric acid derivatives
·Cholesterol absorption
inhibitors
Cholesterol-lowering
medicine is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
How Do Statins Work?
Statins
block the production of cholesterol in the liver itself. They lower LDL, the
"bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides, and have a mild effect in
raising HDL, the "good" cholesterol. These drugs are the first line
of treatment for most people with high cholesterol. Statins have been shown in
multiple research studies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events like
heart attacks and death from heart disease.
Side effects can include
1.
intestinal problems,
2.
liver damage, and in a few people,
3.
muscle tenderness.
Statins also carry warnings that memory
loss, mental confusion, high blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes are possible side
effects.
It's important to remember that statins
may also interact with other medications you take.
Examples of statins include:
1.
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
2.
Fluvastatin (Lescol)
3.
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
4.
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
5.
Simvastatin (Zocor)
6.
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
How Does Nicotinic Acid
Work?
Nicotinic
acid is a B-complex vitamin. It's found in food, but is also available at high
doses by prescription.
It
lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol.
The
main side effects are flushing, itching, tingling and headache.
A
recent research study suggested that adding nicotinic acid to statin therapy
was not associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Examples of
nicotinic acid medication include:
·Nicolar and
·Niaspan
How Do Bile Acid Resins
Work?
These drugs work inside the intestine,
where they bind to bile from the liver and prevent it from being reabsorbed
into the circulatory system. Bile is made largely from cholesterol, so these
drugs work by depleting the body's supply of cholesterol. The most common side
effects are constipation, gas and upset stomach. Examples of bile acid resins
include:
·Questran and Questran Light
·Colestid
·WelChol
How Do Fibrates Work?
Fibrates reduce the production of
triglycerides and can increase HDL cholesterol. Examples of fibrates include:
·Atromid
·Tricor
·Lopid
Ezetimibe (Zetia) lowers bad LDL
cholesterol by blocking cholesterol absorption in the intestine. Research
studies have not found that ezetimibe is associated with a lower risk of heart
disease.
Related to Cholesterol & Triglycerides
Answer:
Desirable 0-199
Borderline 200-239
High 240+
Your level is currently Congratulations! Your total cholesterol level is in the Desirable range, and your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is optimal.
Congratulations! Your total cholesterol level is in the Desirable range, and your level of "bad" LDL cholesterol is near optimal.
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