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May 18, 2013
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Understanding Cholesterol-Lowering Medications (cont.)

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High Cholesterol Treatment

If an individual has high cholesterol, a doctor will recommend the following lifestyle changes to help the patient lower their cholesterol levels:

  • Low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol diet
  • Increased physical activity
  • Smoking cessation
  • Weight loss

If these lifestyle changes do not lower a person's risk for developing coronary heart disease after about three months, the doctor may consider prescribing a cholesterol-lowering medication. If the patient has heart disease or many risk factors for heart disease, the doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications in addition to lifestyle changes immediately, rather than wait three months for the effect of lifestyle changes alone.

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

High HDL Cholesterol (Hyperalphalipoproteinemia) »

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is positively associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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