High Cholesterol: Medications to Lower: Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that your body needs to function normally. If a person has too much cholesterol in their bloodstream, it can lead to heart disease. Cholesterol lowering medications include statins (Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Altocor, Pravachol, Zocor, and Crestor), bile acid sequestrants (Questran, Colestid, WelChol), nicotinic acid agents (niacin, Niacor, Slo-Niacin), and fibrates (Lopid, Tricor). Side effects, drug interactions, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking these medications.
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Understanding Your Cholesterol Level
Blood cholesterol levels are measured by a simple blood test. Elevated LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) levels, and high triglyceride levels puts a person at an increased risk for heart attack or stroke. The primary goal for a person with high triglycerides or cholesterol levels is to lower them with lifestyle changes like exercise, weight loss and diet changes to include more fiber, fruits and vegetables. -
Cholesterol Tests
Cholesterol tests measure the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. The test is also referred to as a lipoprotein profile or lipoprotein analysis. The test measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels in the blood. Few risks are associated with cholesterol tests. -
Heart Attack
A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack. -
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of different types of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease depend on the cause and inclue chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Many conditions causes heart disease, for example, genetics, obesity, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for heart disease depend on the cause and include diet and other lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, and surgery. The prognosis (outlook) and life span for someone with heart disease varies depending on the cause. -
Lifestyle Cholesterol Management
Lifestyle cholesterol management is important to lower your risk for heart disease, which includes: heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Cholesterol management with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can effectively lower blood cholesterol levels in some individuals. -
Cholesterol FAQs
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally present in the body. Diets high in fat, inactivity, and obesity contribute to high cholesterol. Some factors such as genetics are uncontrollable for having high cholesterol. You can lower your cholesterol levels naturally with lifestyle changes such as weight loss and control, exercise, diet, and quitting smoking. If these measures don't lower cholesterol enough a person may need to take cholesterol medications. -
Liver Blood Tests
Liver blood tests are used to check the levels and function of liver enzymes in the blood called AST and ALT or aminotransferases in the blood. Symptoms of elevated or high liver enzymes in the blood include fever, abdominal pain, poor appetite, itching, and nausea. Normal levels of liver enzymes in blood are caused by liver diseases caused by drugs, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol), pain medications, and statins. Less common causes of abnormal levels of ALT or AST levels in the blood are alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases (NASH), hepatitis, and alcoholism. Normal levels of ALT ranges from about 7-56 units/liter, and 10-40 units/liters for AST. Elevated (high) and low liver enzymes elevated levels of AST and ALT may signify the level of liver damage the person has. A blood sample is sent to the laboratory for measurement. Usually, you doctor will have the results interpreted within a few hours to days. Liver blood tests are used to check normal, elevated (high), and low blood levels of liver enzymes (AST and ALT or aminotransferases). Symptoms of elevated levels of liver enzymes are fever, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and nausea. Drugs, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol), pain drugs, and statins caused high levels of liver enzymes. Less common causes are NASH, hepatitis, and alcoholism. -
Statins and Cholesterol
Statins are a class of drug prescribed for reducing blood cholesterol levels in individuals with high cholesterol. Examples of statins available include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), pitavastatin (Livalo), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Common side effects include brown, discolored urine, vomiting, muscle weakness, leg pain, muscle soreness, and stomach cramps. Drug and food interactions, warnings and precautions, and serious side effects should be reviewed prior to taking any medication. -
Triglycerides
Elevated or high triglycerides are a type of lipid disorder. Lipids are one type of fat transported through the bloodstream. High triglyceride levels may occur alone, or it may occur with other lipid disorders like high or low LDL "bad" cholesterol levels. Causes of high triglyceride levels include kidney and liver disease, alcoholism, obesity, medications, and thyroid problems. A triglyceride test determines the level of triglycerides in the blood. Treatment for elevated lipid levels include diet, lifestyle changes, and medication if necessary.
Featured:
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally present in the body. Diets high in fat, inactivity, and obesity contribute to high cholesterol. Some factors such as genetics are uncontrollable for having high cholesterol. You can lower your cholesterol levels naturally with lifestyle changes such as
- weight loss and control,
- exercise,
- diet, and
- quitting smoking.
If these measures don't lower cholesterol enough a person may need to take cholesterol medications.
Expert Views and News
- Intermittent Fasting Helps Weight Loss, Lipids
- The LDL Dilemma in Diabetes: How Low Do You Go?
- Statin Use Increases Odds of Back Disorder
- Younger Patients With High LDL-C Get Less Statins
- FDA Approves Generic-Version of Popular Statin
- Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
- A New Way to Treat High Cholesterol?
- Avocados Help Lower Cholesterol in Some People
- New Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Show Promise
- Scientists Explain Why Statins Raise Diabetes Risk
- More Docs Wonder If Statins Are Worth the Risks
- New Cholesterol Drug Guidelines: Q&A
- Crestor Tops List of Best-Selling Drugs
- Statins May Work Better in Men Than in Women
- Highest Dose of Cholesterol Drug Statins Limited
High Cholesterol: Medications to Lower Topic Guide - Visuals
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High Cholesterol: Medications to Lower Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
Ezetimibe And SimvastatinEzetimibe reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body. Simvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins."
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Amlodipine And AtorvastatinAmlodipine and atorvastatin is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and coronary artery disease (clo...learn more »
ColesevelamColesevelam is used to treat high cholesterol in adults and children at least 10 years old...learn more »
FenofibrateFenofibrate helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these types of fat in the blood are associated with an incr...learn more »
AtorvastatinAtorvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholestero...learn more »
FluvastatinFluvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol...learn more »
PsylliumPsyllium is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. Psyllium works by absorbing liquid and swelling in the intestines to create a softer, bulky stool that is easier t...learn more »
SimvastatinSimvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol...learn more »
PravastatinPravastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol...learn more »
GemfibrozilGemfibrozil helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty acids) in the blood. High levels of these types of fat in the blood are associated with an incr...learn more »