Lowering Your Cholesterol With Medications

Eating a good balance of different types of foodsmaintaining low levels of LDL cholesterol and
and exercising have long been recommended fortriglycerides in people who have had a heart attack
keeping our cholesterol levels in check. High levels ofand significantly lowers the chances of them having
cholesterol have been linked to heart disease. Whenanother. Statin also works to increase the amount of
these measures alone are not sufficiently maintainingHDL cholesterol in the body and any side effects are
the cholesterol levels then cholesterol medicationsminor.
may be required. If you need to take these then it isNicotinic acid, or niacin, is probably better known as
important that you are aware of what thesevitamin B. This nutrient can be supplied by eating a
cholesterol medications are and how they work.healthy diet but additional amounts in cholesterol
All forms of cholesterol medication work in a similarmedication have proved effective in raising the HDL
manner. In our blood we have a mixture of lipids,cholesterol levels in the body.
including LDL, HDL and triglycerides. LDL is actually theIn cases where the triglyceride levels in the blood are
form of cholesterol that we need to reduce. HDLtoo high fibric acid derivatives or fibrates are
cholesterol, on the other hand, can be classed as aextremely effective at reducing them. This type of
beneficial form of cholesterol that the body needs tocholesterol medication works by lowering the amount
function properly. The cholesterol medications all workof VLDL, a form of LDL cholesterol high in
to reduce the levels of LDL and triglycerides in thetriglycerides, in the liver. This VLDL has been linked to
blood and, in some cases, raise the levels of HDL.pancreatitis as well as different forms of coronary
The main types of cholesterol medications are HMGheart disease.
CoA reductase inhibitors, such as statin, nicotinic acidThe other type of cholesterol medication that is
or niacin, fibric acid derivatives or fibrates and bile acideffective at reducing the LDL levels is bile acid
sequestants. The effects that each of thesesequestrants. The liver uses cholesterol to create bile
cholesterol medications has on the body varies andacids. The bile acid sequestrants actually work by
each one is specifically designed to address thepreventing the return of these bile acids from the
cholesterol and triglyceride levels that are in the bloodintestines to the liver. The liver therefore makes
and those that are absorbed by the body. One ismore bile acids and the LDL cholesterol level is
best for one person who needs to lower both theirlowered. Often statin or niacin is taken in conjunction
LDL and triglyceride levels is not going to bewith bile acid sequestrants to achieve the overall
effective for someone who requires their levels oflevels required.
HDL to be increased. It is important to be sure thatAccording to the National Cholesterol Education
you are taking the right one.Program, there are over 9 million Americans who are
Statin has been shown to be the most successful oftaking cholesterol medication. While these drugs can
the cholesterol medications in reducing the amount ofbe extremely effective it is also important that
LDL that a person has in their body as it inhibits thepeople are far more aware of the importance of
HMG CoA reductase. This is responsible for creatingeating a balanced diet and taking regular exercise.
cholesterol in the body. Statin is most frequentlyDisclaimer: The information above should not be
prescribed in patients who are at greater risk ofinterpreted as medical advice. Please talk to a
heart disease and strokes. There is medical evidencequalified professional for more information about
that statin also proves extremely effective atcholesterol.