Using Drugs Can Lower Your Cholesterol by 40% Or More

One of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease, strokes, and high blood pressure is a high level of cholesterol - specifically low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol. The theory is that if your body has too high a level of LDL in its bloodstream, it builds up along the artery walls. The effect is to narrow the arteries making it more difficult for the heart to deliver blood to all the parts of the body where it is needed. This, in turn, can lead to hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, and other arterial problems.

There are a number of things that a person can do to lower their cholesterol. Among them, losing weight, exercising, changing diet, and so on. In an effort to help combat the high levels of cholesterol among people, in addition to helping to beef up their profit margins, pharmaceutical companies have developed cholesterol lowering drugs.

One of the most popular and high profile drugs developed to lower LDL cholesterol is simvastatin, commonly known by the public as Zocor. Simvastatin has been shown to lower cholesterol by up to as much as 40%. Simvastatin belongs to the class of pharmaceuticals known as statins. Statins lower LDL by lowering the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. It does this by blocking the enzyme that your liver needs in order to produce cholesterol.

Zocor is not meant to be a cure all, it's meant to be an aid. When a doctor prescribes simvastatin or Zocor, he normally recommends that it be used in combination with changes in diet and exercise levels. Simvastatin is taken orally about three times a day.

One of the concerns of those taking Zocor or simvastatin is side affects that many have experienced by taking the drug. These include dizziness, swelling of the face, hives, nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea. In some rare cases, taking simvastatin may trigger hair loss and depression. Because every person is different, however, it's virtually impossible to identify which side effects, if any, will affect you. In fact, it's the potential side effects that have many persons looking for natural alternatives to this drug.

It's also important to remember that simvastatin, like many other drugs, can have detrimental reactions if taken in combination with other prescriptions. This is why it's critical that your doctor be aware of any other medications that you are taking before he gives you a prescription for simvastatin or Zocor. In fact, if you experience any adverse bodily reactions while taking the prescription such as pain, weakness, shortness of breath and so on - you should tell your doctor immediately.

Anyone taking simvastatin should also be aware that it can react with certain food items also. For example, taking it in combination with alcohol can be dangerous. Drinking citrus fruits such as grapefruit can interfere with your body metabolizing sunvastatin.

In addition, women trying to get pregnant should also be wary of using this medicine as should women who are breastfeeding as it is uncertain if the drug will be passed from the mom to the child.

Melissa Chow is a freelance writer who writes articles relating to medicines such as highbloodpressurearticles.com/zocor-high-blood-pressure.html zocor and high blood pressure and other health issues. Visit her site at highbloodpressurearticles.com highbloodpressurearticles.com