Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeReduceMedicine To Reduce Cholesterol And Triglycerides

Medicine To Reduce Cholesterol And Triglycerides

And Limit Unhealthy Ones

Lowering Triglycerides – Mayo Clinic

Namely, trans fats or partially hydrogenated oils, which sometimes show up in baked goods, snack foods, fried foods, refrigerated dough , nondairy creamers, and margarines.

Eating these harmful fats can send your triglycerides up in just a few short weeks, not to mention raise your LDL cholesterol and lower your HDL cholesterol.

What Qualifies As High Triglycerides

According to MedlinePlus , blood levels less than 150 mg/dL fall under the triglycerides normal range, while anything higherknown as hypertriglyceridemiacan increase risk for heart disease. Elevated triglycerides can also be a very early sign of diabetes, states Kristin Thomas, MD, a board-certified internist and co-founder of Foxhall Medicine in Washington, DC.

Extremely high triglyceridesblood levels over 500 mg/dLmay be due to a genetic disorder and can increase the risk of pancreatitis, along with heart disease, including atherosclerosis , Dr. Thomas, co-author of You Can Prevent A Stroke, explains. It can be seen alone or in association with many other conditions, as well, such as metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism, fatty liver disease and kidney disease, Dr. Malaney says.

Recommended Reading: What Is A Healthy Diet To Reduce Cholesterol

What Are The Risks Linked To High Cholesterol

Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart and blood vessel disease .

The excess LDL cholesterol leads to fatty deposits called plaque forming in the artery walls. Over time, the plaque causes narrowing and hardening of the arteries .

This can lead to:

  • Angina when plaque builds up in the major arteries that supply your heart, known as the coronary arteries, they become narrower and are partially blocked, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. This may cause shortness of breath and chest pain.
  • Heart attack if a plaque in a coronary artery bursts , a clot may form and block the supply of blood to the heart, starving it of oxygen.
  • Stroke if the blood vessels that supply the brain become narrower or blocked by plaque, blood supply to the brain can be severely reduced or cut off, causing a stroke. Strokes can also be caused when a clot from another part of the body travels through the blood and lodges in an artery in the brain.
  • Peripheral vascular disease this usually affects the arteries that supply the legs and feet, causing leg pain when walking , and even pain when resting, when the circulation is more badly affected

A high level of HDL cholesterol is good because HDL cholesterol helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the blood, taking them back to the liver where they’re removed from the blood and passed out of the body.

Read Also: How To Get Your Triglycerides Down Fast

How Do I Know If My Cholesterol Levels Are High

High blood cholesterol levels are a major cause of heart attacks and strokes. They also lead to clogged arteries and increased blood pressure. To reduce your risk for these conditions, keep your total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL. This means that your HDL and triglyceride levels must be above 40 mg/dL and 150 mg/dL, respectively.

The following tests can help determine whether your cholesterol levels are too high. If you have any symptoms of high cholesterol, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, or arm numbness, speak with your doctor immediately.

  • Total cholesterol test A simple blood test that measures the amount of total cholesterol in your blood. Your doctor may recommend this test when you first visit him or her because it can give clues about your overall health.
  • HDL cholesterol test A blood test that measures the HDL cholesterol in your blood. High HDL cholesterol levels indicate a healthy lifestyle.
  • LDL cholesterol test A simple cholesterol test that measures the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood.

About 38% of American adults have high cholesterol (total blood cholesterol 200 mg

Mechanism Accounting For The Omega

Healthy Cholesterol &  Triglycerides 60 capsules

While not the primary mechanism for the decrease in plasma TGs, studies have shown that omega-3-fatty acids may increase the clearance of TG rich lipoproteins . Post heparin lipoprotein lipase activity is not increased by omega-3-fatty acid administration but the lipolytic activity of non-stimulated plasma is enhanced . Additionally, apolipoprotein C-III levels are decreased with omega-3-fatty acid administration which could also contribute to an increase in the clearance of TG rich lipoproteins .

The increase in LDL-C levels that occurs in patients with marked hypertriglyceridemia treated with omega-3-fatty acids is thought to be due to the enhanced conversion of VLDL to LDL .

Read Also: What Drinks Can Lower Cholesterol

Cautions With Other Medicines

Some medicines can affect the way ezetimibe tablets work. They may also make your more likely to get side effects.

Tell a doctor if you’re taking these medicines before you start ezetimibe:

  • ciclosporin, a medicine used to treat psoriasis or after an organ transplant
  • medicines used to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin
  • other medicines used for lowering cholesterol , such as colestyramine or bezafibrate

Stop Smoking To Lower Cholesterol

The ADA recommends if you smoke to quit to improve diabetes management. Quitting smoking can also improve your overall health and reduce your risk of cancer.

There are numerous programs, support systems, and medications available to help you quit smoking. Studies show it might take a few tries to quit your smoking habit for good. Not smoking when you have diabetes can help you reduce your risks of cardiovascular disease and other diabetes complications.

Recommended Reading: Will Apple Cider Vinegar Lower Your Cholesterol

How Long Does It Take To Reduce Cholesterol

Cholesterol drops over time, not suddenly, after a few days of healthier living. There is no set period in which cholesterol is guaranteed to drop.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs usually produce a change in LDL within 6 to 8 weeks. It is possible for lifestyle changes to change cholesterol levels within weeks. However, it may take longer,

  • Total cholesterol: less than 200 milligrams per deciliter
  • LDL bad cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
  • HDL good cholesterol: higher than 60 mg/dL
  • Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL

According to an article in the journal Circulation, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommend using statins to lower cholesterol in people with cholesterol higher outside of these levels.

However, they also recommend doctors consider a persons cholesterol levels and overall risk of cardiovascular disease before prescribing a cholesterol-lowering medication.

The AHA recommends that people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease get high-intensity statin therapy maximally tolerated statin therapy to lower LDL by at least 50%.

The AHA also recommends high-intensity statin therapy for individuals with severe primary hypercholesterolemia .

There are a number of habit changes a person can incorporate into their daily routines in order to gradually and consistently lower their LDL levels over time. Including:

Lower Your Ldl Cholesterol And Triglycerides

Cholesterol and Triglycerides

High blood LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels are the main risk factors associated with heart disease, which is still the most common cause of death in Britain and the United States. But you dont need to resort to dangerous drugs to lower your levels, as some simple diet and lifestyle changes can do the job even more effectively. So in this article Ill explain how you can lower your LDL cholesterol and triglycerides without drugs, and so reduce your risk of heart disease dramatically.

Also Check: Is Mayo Bad For Cholesterol

What Are The Side Effects Of Statins

Statins may cause mild side effects, including:

Adults and teens can take statins. Most people dont have side effects from statins, but you shouldnt take them if youre pregnant, nursing or have certain types of liver disease. Let your provider know if you have diabetes. If youre already at risk for diabetes, statins can add to your risk of getting it.

Some people have an interaction with another medicine while taking statins. Whenever your provider considers prescribing medication for you, its important to tell them what else youre taking. That includes other prescription drugs, medicines you buy without a prescription, vitamins, herbs, supplements and recreational drugs.

If one type of statin gives you side effects, ask your provider if they can switch you to a different one. You may also want to ask your provider if you need to avoid grapefruit or pomegranate or their juices or if its ok to have a small amount. These foods can make it hard for your body to break some statins down, allowing too much of the drug to accumulate in your body and giving you more side effects.

Effect Of Niacin On Cardiovascular Outcomes

MONOTHERAPY

COMBINATION WITH FIBRATES

In the Stockholm Ischemic Heart Disease Secondary Prevention Study survivors of a myocardial infarction below 70 years of age were randomized to a control group and a group treated with clofibrate and immediate release nicotinic acid . Serum cholesterol and TG was lowered by 13% and 19%, respectively, in the treatment group compared to the control group. Recurrent myocardial infarction was reduced by 50% within one year . Total mortality was decreased by 26% in the group treated with clofibrate + niacin while ischemic heart disease mortality was decreased by 36% . Notably, the benefit of clofibrate + niacin was only observed in patients with a baseline TG level > 143mg/dl. In the age of statins, the clinical implications of this early study are unclear.

COMBINATION WITH STATINS

You May Like: Why Has My Cholesterol Level Gone Up

Effect Of Niacin On Atherosclerosis

Many of the initial niacin therapy imaging studies combined niacin with other drugs and compared these combinations vs. placebo. These studies showed that niacin in combination with other drugs reduced the progression and/or increased the regression of atherosclerosis. However, because of the use of other drugs it is impossible to determine if niacin therapy per se was beneficial .

What Does Research Say About Cholesterol

Clotgone for cholesterol

There are so many medications to choose from, but knowing which one is best for your body and health can be confusing. You will decide together with your doctor, but doctors are often not aware of all the latest research. Below is a summary of some of the most important studies on cholesterol medication, with conclusions that may help steer you away from drugs with greater risks or drugs that may lower your cholesterol without reducing your chances of heart attack or stroke!

Read Also: What Can Happen With High Cholesterol

You May Like: Is Low Fat Yogurt Good For Cholesterol

Hyperlipidemia High Cholesterol High Triglycerides How To Treat

The treatment of hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride is mainly divided into two parts: drug treatment and adjustment of daily eating habits.

If the necessity of medication is not reached, most doctors will generally recommend starting with non-medication.

Improve by adjusting the patients life and eating habits. If the blood lipids do not return to normal after 3-6 months, medical treatment should be performed.

The general treatment drugs are Statins, cholic acid-binding resin, nicotinic acid, and fibrate derivatives four kinds, to achieve control to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by arteriosclerosis.

The treatment of drugs still needs to be discussed with the doctor, so in the next paragraph, I will mainly focus on the second focus of treatment, which is also the root of the daily diet and life maintenance.

Note. Taking the relevant therapeutic drugs requires taking the medicine according to the instructions of the doctor. All kinds of drugs have side effects.

You should discuss with the doctor and design a prescription label according to your own situation. Do not judge the consumption by yourself.

How Do Pcsk9 Inhibitors Work

PCSK9 breaks down a kind of protein called LDL receptors. LDL receptors are on the outside of cells in your body, especially in your liver. These receptors attach to LDL cholesterol to carry it into your liver. The liver breaks down LDL cholesterol and gets rid of it.

PCSK9 inhibitors block PCSK9 proteins from breaking down your LDL receptors. The result is that more of your LDL receptors work. These active LDL receptors can then reduce your LDL cholesterol more efficiently.

Recommended Reading: What Fruit Is Good For High Cholesterol

How Can Triglyceride Levels Be Lowered

If your triglyceride levels are high, the next step is for your doctor to check for potential causes. Certain medications, thyroid function issues, poorly controlled diabetes, liver or kidney disease can all cause triglyceride levels to be higher than normal.

The first steps in treatment to lower triglyceride levels include eating a healthy diet, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and aerobic exercise on a regular basis.

To lower your triglyceride levels, your diet should be:

  • low in simple carbohydrates

If you have high triglycerides and low HDL or high LDL levels, you may need to take medication along with making lifestyle changes. If your triglyceride levels are in the very high range you are at risk to develop other medical problems, so you will most likely need to take medication.

Prescription Drugs For Cholesterol And Triglycerides

BP Meds That Raise Cholesterol & Triglycerides

From statins like Lipitor to PCSK9 inhibitors like Repatha to niacin and beyond, several kinds of medications are regularly prescribed to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Which is most appropriate for you depends on several factors, but its likely your healthcare provider will want you to begin taking prescription medication if diet and exercise are not enough to lower your levels, or if your risk for cardiovascular disease is particularly elevated.

Keeping your lipidcholesterol and triglyceridelevels from getting too high is an important part of preventing atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease , stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

This article will help you learn about the possible prescription options your healthcare provider might suggest so you can take an active role in your treatment discussions and decisions.

Don’t Miss: Can You Take Melatonin With Cholesterol Medicine

Can Exercise And Diet Lower Your Cholesterol Enough

Thereâs no doubt that a healthy lifestyle helps lower cholesterol. The question is whether it can lower your levels enough â and that depends on how high your levels are and what your doctor has set as your goal.

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet can lower LDL cholesterol at least 10%.
  • If you lose 5% to 10% of your body weight, you can cut LDL cholesterol 15%, and reduce triglycerides 20%.
  • If you exercise at a moderate intensity — meaning you have enough breath to talk but not sing — for at least 2 ½ hours a week, you can further cut triglycerides 20% to 30%.

Thatâs a great start, says Michael Miller, MD, director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “Lifestyle changes certainly are the cornerstone of cholesterol reduction.”

To get your cholesterol down to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease your doctor may recommend, though, that you still need a statin. These powerful cholesterol-lowering medicines include atorvastatin , pravastatin , and simvastatin , among others.

How To Lower Triglycerides Fast Without Medications

Unlike many illnesses, much of the treatment centered around how to lower triglycerides actually has a lot to do with lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity. In fact, moderate to slightly high levels of triglycerides may be managed in this way alone, without the use of prescription medications. Since what raises triglycerides in the first place is often the foods that we eat, it is not a wonder that a mere change in ingestibles can provide long term benefits in the form of lower triglycerides levels. And, the long term management of the amounts of these fats circulating in the blood can often be well managed with a diet to lower triglycerides combined with an increase in moderate exercise.

Fats are also best left alone as much as possible for anyone trying to stave off ever rising levels of the manufactured blood fats. As such, fried foods and those that contain trans fat or saturated fat should be eliminated from diets entirely. Not only does this decrease the likelihood that triglycerides will remain on the rise, a low fat diet also contributes to a reduced risk of obesity. Being overweight or obese is a major contributing factor to the increase of triglycerides in the blood, and adhering to a low fat diet can reduce this risk dramatically.

References:

Read Also: What Is Vldl Cholesterol Normal Range

Types Of Statins Available

There are several types of statins available. They include:

High intensity statins:

Although all statins work in the same way, your body might respond better to one type than another. This is why doctors sometimes try several types of statins before they find the right one for you.

Some are more likely to interact with other drugs or organic compounds. For example, the statins Lipitor and Zocor can interact with grapefruit juice, according to the Food and Drug Administration .

The interaction can be very dangerous. Mixing these drugs with grapefruit can increase the amount of medication in the bloodstream and cause serious side effects.

Recommended Reading: Is Beef Liver High In Cholesterol

How Can I Lower My Cholesterol By Making Lifestyle Changes

Cholesterol &  Triglyceride Lowering Supplement for High Blood Pressure ...

You can lower your cholesterol levels by making lifestyle changes, and through taking medicines if thats what your doctor advises. Some people will only need to improve their lifestyle and diet to get their cholesterol to a safe level. Others may need to take cholesterol-lowering medicines, as well.

Also Check: Which Alcohol Is Good For High Cholesterol

Also Check: Is Fish Oil Good For Lowering Cholesterol

Can You Lower Cholesterol Without Medication

4 Minute Read

If youre having a cholesterol test soon, you might wonder what to expect when you get your results. If theyre high, will this mean a lifetime of medicine? Are there other kinds of treatments?

You might be surprised to learn that some people can lower cholesterol without medication. It depends on your risk factors for heart disease, and what your doctor thinks is best for you.

Learn more about what your numbers mean and what options you might have for keeping your cholesterol in a healthy range, including the best foods to eat to maintain a heart-healthy diet.

You May Like: How Much Cholesterol Is Too Much In Food

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular