How to Understand Cholesterol Medications

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is necessary for the walls of cells (membranes) to function properly. Cholesterol, which is also known as a fat or a lipid, assists with the production of the hormones testosterone and estrogen among other things. Although your body needs cholesterol to properly function, excessive cholesterol levels can clog blood vessels and lead to cardiac disease and comprise your quality of life. This article will help you to understand cholesterol a little better, as well as how to take cholesterol (or lipid) lowering medications correctly.

Things You'll Need

• A recent lipid or cholesterol panel
• A list of your cholesterol medication(s) along with any other medications you are taking, including herbal preparations and over-the-counter medications
• A review of your cholesterol health/status with your health care provider

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Instructions

• 1

  Understand that cholesterol is a necessary substance for the body to function; it is basically formed in the liver and by the foods we ingest. Overproduction of cholesterol can be controlled by diet and exercise for many people. However, for others their is a physiological component (the liver function) to their cholesterol production that may require medications to lower lipid levels. If cholesterol medications are necessary, then you should know why, how to take them and how to monitor their effectiveness.

• 2

  If your health care provider suggests taking medications to lower your cholesterol, you should ask "why?" What you are hoping to learn here is why medications are necessary from a more detailed standpoint other than the obvious that your levels are dangerously high. Ask your health care provider to explain (and/or test for) how your body produces cholesterol. This will give you some additional insight into why medications may be necessary no matter how "good" your diet, exercise routine and lifestyle patterns are.

• 3

  If there is a physiological element to your high cholesterol levels, make sure you ask and understand why your health care provider is selecting any given medication over another. It is important to understand that not all cholesterol medications work in the same manner. For example, one drug may have been developed to lower triglycerides, while another may target the bad cholesterol. Some may do both. Depending on what level(s) are high should help you and your health care provider select an appropriate medication.

• 4

  Once a medication is selected, ask your health care provider at what time of day you should take your cholesterol medication. As a general rule, most cholesterol-lowering medications should be taken at night, since this is the time when the liver is generating cholesterol in the body. Taking the medication at the time of cholesterol production may actually increase the medication's effectiveness.

• 5

  A heart healthy diet is essential to healthy living for everyone. If you have any questions about what that means, ASK! Also, consider asking for a referral to a licensed nutritionist. You may be surprised at the level of your knowledge of cholesterol in your life.

• 6

  Have your lipid panel monitored regularly, usually every 3 to 6 months at the beginning of treatment. You want to see if the medications are correcting the problem (along with any diet/lifestyle changes). Do not take cholesterol medications for years without the proper monitoring. It just does not make sense. You may also find that if your high cholesterol was basically from a poor diet, having changed your diet may have actually lowered your cholesterol to a satisfactory level. You and your health care provider may elect to stop the cholesterol medications to see how your body responds, as long as your diet and other health patterns remain heart healthy.