HIGH CHOLESTEROL: CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING MEDICATION
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend cholesterol medication in addition to a diet low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and low in refined carbohydrates.
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.
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; they also may need medicine to bring down their cholesterol 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.
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 intestinal problems, liver damage, and muscle inflammation.
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:
vastatin (Lescol)
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
PitavastaAtorvastatin (Lipitor)
Flutin (Livalo)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
PitavastaAtorvastatin (Lipitor)
Flutin (Livalo)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
How Does Nicotinic Acid Work?
Nicotinic acid (niacin) 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. Research has not shown that adding nicotinic acid to statin therapy is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Examples of nicotinic acid medication include:
Nicolar
Niaspan
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
Colestid
WelChol
How Do Fibrates Work?
Fibrates reduce the production of triglycerides and can increase HDL cholesterol. Examples of fibrates include:
Atromid
Tricor
Lopid
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.
How to Boost Your 'Good' Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is the kind of cholesterol you want more of.
It's called the "good" cholesterol because it helps protect you from getting heart disease.
HDL cholesterol brings cholesterol to your liver, which sends it out of your body. So you want as much HDL as possible.
You can get a blood test to check your cholesterol level. If you're a man and your HDL level is below 40, or a woman with an HDL level lower than 50, you're more likely to get heart disease. Having an HDL level of at least 60 may help protect you from getting heart disease.
Of course, other things -- like not smoking, being active, and staying at a healthy weight -- also matter for your heart's health. Many of those things also affect your HDL level.
5 Ways to Raise Your HDL Cholesterol
Some diet and lifestyle changes help boost HDL cholesterol levels:
Get active. Physical activity can boost your HDL level. Get at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity, most days of the week.
Lose extra weight. If you're overweight, losing extra pounds can help raise your HDL levels, as well as cut your LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
Choose better fats. The healthier choices are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. You’ll find these in plants, nuts, and fish like salmon or tuna. And, like everything you eat, keep your portion sizes small. Fats pack a lot of calories in small amounts.
Alcohol in moderation. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is linked to higher HDL levels. If you don't drink now, check with your doctor before you start, since alcohol has some risks not related to cholesterol.
Stop smoking. Kicking the cigarette habit can raise your HDL level.
Lose extra weight. If you're overweight, losing extra pounds can help raise your HDL levels, as well as cut your LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
Choose better fats. The healthier choices are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. You’ll find these in plants, nuts, and fish like salmon or tuna. And, like everything you eat, keep your portion sizes small. Fats pack a lot of calories in small amounts.
Alcohol in moderation. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is linked to higher HDL levels. If you don't drink now, check with your doctor before you start, since alcohol has some risks not related to cholesterol.
Stop smoking. Kicking the cigarette habit can raise your HDL level.
No comments:
Post a Comment