The Facts About Cholesterol Medications

What are cholesterol medications?

Total cholesterol is made up of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), often called “good” cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol; and triglycerides.

You want your HDL to be high and your LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels to be low (less than 200 mg/dL).

Cholesterol medications are different types of medications that can help lower LDL and triglyceride levels, which can also help lower total cholesterol. In some cases, medications can also increase HDL. HDL helps absorb LDL so it can be eliminated from the body.

People who lower their LDL levels enough and keep them there have a 44% less risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

He most common medications To treat high cholesterol are:

• Statins: They reduce the amount of cholesterol your liver makes while increasing your HDL.

• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: prevent the intestine from absorbing cholesterol from food.

Other medications bind to cholesterol, making it easier for the body to get rid of it, or limit or prevent the liver from making it in the first place. These include:

• Bile acid sequestrants
• PCSK9 inhibitors
• Adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors

People with high cholesterol due to a genetic disease called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia You may need to take a combination of medications.

Who is a good candidate for cholesterol-lowering medications?

You should talk to your healthcare provider (HCP) about cholesterol medications if have:

• LDL levels of 190 mg/dL or more
• A high risk of heart disease.
• Previous history of heart attack or stroke.
• Diabetes and LDL levels of 70 mg/dL or more

How long does it take to lower cholesterol with medication?

Cholesterol-lowering medications should be taken at around the same time every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should also follow the instructions for your type of medication. For example, some should be taken on an empty stomach and others should be taken with food. Some statins come with a warning not to take an antacid at least two hours before taking the medication.

If you take your cholesterol medications correctly, it can take about four weeks for your cholesterol levels to drop. Since there are no symptoms of high cholesterol, you won’t feel if your levels have dropped. You will need a follow-up blood test to check this. If it didn’t work or the drop wasn’t enough, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose or a different medication.

It may take some trial and error to find the right drug, and not all medications work the same for everyone.

Risks of cholesterol medications

As with all medications, taking cholesterol-lowering medications carries some risks. They may interact with other medications you are already taking, for example. They can also affect the liver, but this is rare. Regular blood tests while you take these medications will monitor this and alert your doctor if there are any signs that your liver may be developing problems.

Other possible side effects Cholesterol medications include:

• Muscle and/or joint pain.
• Increased blood sugar levels.
• Memory loss or confusion.
• Nausea
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Headaches
• Stomachache
• Bloating and/or gas

High cholesterol in women

Men and women often have different symptoms when they have a heart attack. For example, men often feel chest pain and pressure. Women often have more subtle symptoms, such as nausea or difficulty breathing.

Read: Symptoms of heart attacks in women >>

Because women often do not have the typical symptoms of a heart attack, healthcare professionals may miss or dismiss what is happening. Therefore, it is important to understand your heart health and your risk of having a heart attack. Part of this is being aware of your cholesterol levels, taking medications as prescribed by your doctor, and following up to make sure the medication is working.

Read: Why don’t women receive the same treatment as men for heart disease? >>

Race and ethnicity can also influence cholesterol levels. For example, while white people have higher levels of LDL compared to people of other races, people of South Asian ancestry They tend to have lower levels of HDL than the general US population. Lower HDL means that less LDL is removed from the blood, putting them at greater risk for heart disease.

Other reasons for high cholesterol

With some chronic diseases, people with lower socioeconomic and educational levels are at greater risk. But for high cholesterol, investigation shows that these are often people with higher incomes and higher levels of education. But, no matter where you live, your income or your educational level, lifestyle choices can affect cholesterol levels.

You can take Some steps to help your body. regulate LDL levels. These include:

• Eat a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats.
• Lose weight if you live with overweight or obesity
• Give up smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Exercise to help raise HDL, which can help lower LDL

Questions to ask your doctor about high cholesterol medications

If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels and your treatment, here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What cholesterol medication should I start on?
• What side effects should I watch out for?
• What is my LDL goal after starting the medication?
• How often should I have blood tests to check my cholesterol levels?
• What is the next step if the medication doesn’t work?
• Should I get genetic testing to see if I have a cholesterol disorder?
• Should my family/children get tested?