Selected Cholesterol Lowering Medicines

Cholesterol is one of the most dreaded substances associated with heart disease and high blood pressure. Cholesterol is directly related to the foods that we eat. Individuals who are kin to control their cholesterol are also keen to control what enters their mouth as day to day food dishes. As part of your cholesterol lowering treatment plan, your physician may recommend specific medications. There are various medicines for this purpose some of which are discussed here as follows;

Statins

Lowering cholesterol (LDL) levels by about 20 to 55 percent the Statins are the most commonly prescribed medicines for people seeking to lower their cholesterol by using pharmaceutical drugs. The drugs moderately lower triglycerides and raise HDL. Statins work by blocking a particular substance the body requires to make cholesterol. The drugs also assist your body to reabsorb cholesterol that has built up in plaques on artery walls. Statins have side effects which are normally mild. Liver and muscle problems may rarely occur.

Ezetimibe

These drugs interfere with the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. They lower LDL by some 18 to 25 perecent. Doctors can prescribe the drug alone or together as combo with a statin. This gives more lowering of LDL. Back pain and joint pains are expected side effects. It is used to treat high cholesterol but can yet be used for other purposes apart from what is listed. There are other medications such as cholestyramine and colestipol with which you can not take ezetimibe.

Niacin

Also known as nicotinic acid, niacin lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while also raising HDL cholesterol. Niacin reduces LDL levels by some 5 to 15 percent and as much as 25 percent in some patients. This particular drug is available without prescription. However it is usually recommended for use under doctor's care due to possible serious side effects. It is known to worsen in some peptic ulcers or cause liver problems, gout, or high blood sugar.

Fibrates

Known to reduce triglyceride levels by up to 20 to 50 percent, while decreasing HDL cholesterol by 10 to 15 percent the drugs are not very effective for lowering LDL cholesterol. As side effects the drugs can increase chances of developing gallstones and heighten the effects of blood-thinning drugs.

After all has been said and done just as the recommendations for hypertension treatment, lifestyle changes are key to reducing your risk of heart disease whether you take drugs or not. The modifications will include quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet that is low in fat and cholesterol and sodium. Exercising about 30 minutes Monday to Friday and managing stress.

Learn more about the hypertension-bloodpressure-center.com/hypertension-diet.html hypertension diet which is also very effective in reducing cholestorol naturally through the foods we eat. Also learn quit-smoking-central.com/how-to-give-up-smoking.html how to give up smoking if you smoke tobacco as a step towards a healthier heart.