More and more people are struggling with their elevated blood cholesterol levels. The Standard Western Diet is high in protein, fats, sugar and processed foods. Each of these have an impact on low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins (important measurements of your cholesterol) and your triglycerides.
For some people changing their dietary habits completely is too difficult; and for others, genetic issues are too much for them to overcome without help. This is where cholesterol lowering drugs come into the picture. As with other medications and drugs, it is best if you can accomplish the same goal by changing your diet and your exercise habits but if all else fails you may want to investigate cholesterol lowering drugs in an attempt to decrease your risk for heart disease and strokes.
Cholesterol lowering drugs are used for high low-density lipoproteins (LDL). With high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, the higher the better.
The American Heart Association recommends that cholesterol lowering drugs should be considered for patients who have tried other methods – diet, activity and weight loss – but have had poor results. The goals for therapy with cholesterol lowering drugs are an LDL of less than 160 if there is no history of heart disease and less than 2 risk factors, less than 130 without coronary heart disease but greater than 2 risk factors and 100 or less with coronary heart disease.
Resources:
MayoClinic: High Cholesterol
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/statins/CL00010
MayoClinic: Cholesterol Medications Consider the Options
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-medications/HB00042
American Heart Association: Drug therapy for Cholesterol
RxList: Statins
http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=92461
Mercola: Do You Take Any of these 11 Dangerous Statins or Cholesterol Drugs
Family Doctor: High Cholesterol
CNN Health: Not on Cholesterol Meds? New Guidelines May Change That
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/12/health/cholesterol-guidelines/
Intermountain Medical Center: Alternative Cholesterol Lowering Drug for Patients who can’t Tolerate Statins
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130311151126.htm
Texas heart Institute: Statins, Cholesterol Lowering Medicines
http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/Topics/Meds/cholmed.cfm
Health Central: Cholesterol Medications
http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/r/medications/
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