About Heart Pacemaker-:

Learn a heart pacemaker is and who needs to use one. This may be one of the ways in which your doctor advises you to treat your heart condition due to high cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a silent killer that can creep up on you at any stage of your life, be it adolescence, mid age or old age. Today the likeliness of people having high cholesterol in their blood is showing an upward trend, which is why there is so much publicity on the subject all over the globe.

As individuals, we need to watch our cholesterol levels, in order to stay healthy and avoid unexpected heart disease. Doctors advise all healthy adults to check their levels at least every 5 years to avoid uncontrollable situations. It is best to follow this valuable advice carefully, as many healthy adults in recent times have been diagnosed of high cholesterol levels that often lead to fatal situations.

For those who have already been diagnosed of high cholesterol levels, doctors prescribe a treatment plan which often involves a strict diet of low cholesterol food, a regular exercise routine and drug therapy. The treatment plan can be a combination of these three methods, either all or some. It is best to practice the first two methods even if you have normal cholesterol levels, as this will help you to always maintain your blood cholesterol at a favorable level.

Drug therapy is often prescribed for those with high cholesterol levels. Let’s take a look at how various drugs available today in the market contributes towards lowering of blood cholesterol.

There are several drug types that are used popularly by many medical practitioners today. These are:

1) Statins
They work by lowering the production of cholesterol by your body. They also reduce cholesterol buildup in your blood vessels.

e.g. Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Pravachol, Crestor, Zocor

2) Resins / Bile Acid Sequestrants

Works by lowering your LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol.
e.g. Prevalite, Welchol, Colestid

3) Fibrates

These function as triglyceride reducing agents and helps increase your HDL, or good cholesterol levels.

e.g. Antara, Lopid, Tricor

4) Nicotinic Acid

This is a B Vitamin that lowers your LDL and Triglyceride levels when given in large dozes.

e.g. Niacin

5) Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

These lower intestinal absorption of cholesterol. These are often given in combination with other cholesterol lowering drugs, especially along with Statins.
e.g. Zetia

Most often your doctor may prescribe a combination treatment for you, as it has been proven to show better results.

Common Side Effects of Cholesterol lowering drugs include:

Nausea (sometimes vomiting too)

Digestive changes that may result in either diarrhea or constipation

Abdominal pain

Gas or bloating of stomach

Cramps

Dizziness

Headache

Muscle pain

Skin rashes or allergies

Side effects vary according to individuals and level of disease. Although these side effects are never severe, certain exceptions may occur. In such circumstances, it’s best to discontinue medication and consult your physician immediately.

Make it a point to follow your doctors’ advice carefully, and always double check when taking other drugs along with your cholesterol lowering drugs. Doctors will often advise you to refrain from eating certain food items too; so remember to follow all such advice accurately. This will help minimize complications and help you reach healthy levels soon.

Although many cholesterol lowering drugs found today are easy to use due to minimal side effects, it’s best to practice prevention by following a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, lots of exercise, less stress and good social habits.