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About Cholesterol Medication

A healthy and nutritious diet in combination with a weekly fitness routine consisting of cardiovascular exercise and strength training can help to maintain a healthy heart and keep your cholesterol in check. But sometimes diet and exercise are just not enough, and a cholesterol medication may be in order. These medications are important in keeping LDL below 100 mg/dl, and HDL higher than 50 mg/dl in women and 40 mg/dl in men.

  1. Identification

    • Cholesterol lowering medications work by inhibiting the liver's production of cholesterol, greatly reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack. The most commonly used types of cholesterol medication are statins, which lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, and raise HDL (good cholesterol).

    Types

    • There are currently six types of cholesterol medications on the U.S. market that fall under the category of statins; they are Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lescol and Mevacor. Other types of cholesterol medications that are available aside from the most commonly used statins are, fibrates, resins and nicotinic acid (also known as B3 vitamin).

    Considerations

    • For some people, cholesterol medications have very little effect. This is usually do to biological resistance and genetics. For this small group of individuals, Zetia may be suggested by a physician. Zetia helps to block dangerous cholesterol from entering the intestines and blood stream, helping to keep cholesterol at a healthy level.

    Warning

    • Unfortunately, even though cholesterol medications serve a very helpful purpose when it comes to controlling cholesterol, they do have certain side effects that can be problematic for some people. Most commonly, muscle aches can occur and in the severest of cases, Rhabdomyolysis can take place, which is a dangerous condition that damages the fibers of the muscles. Sometimes, the side effects can even be more severe, as in the cases of liver or kidney damage.

    Misconceptions

    • A common misconception concerning cholesterol medications is the belief that a person can eat what ever he wants and the cholesterol medication will take care of the rest. Unfortunately, an unhealthy diet that is high in saturated fat can potentially interfere with cholesterol medications and cancel out their beneficial effects. Therefore, it is important to continue to eat healthy and exercise in order to enhance the benefits of cholesterol medications.

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