Who Could Benefit From Pcsk9 Inhibitors
Benefits Of Lowering Cholesterol
If your cholesterol is high, lowering it has many benefitsespecially if lifestyle changes are part of the solution.
Lowering the amount of harmful LDL in your bloodstream reduces your odds of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. But wait, theres more.
Reducing your total and LDL cholesterol levels also decreases your risk of stroke. It helps protect the arteries feeding your brain from plaque buildup, which can cut off blood supply to part of the brain.
When cholesterol-clogged arteries cause chest pain during physical activity or stress, lowering cholesterol along with exercise, stress management, and medications can shrink the plaque causing the problem. This medical therapy can be as effective as artery-opening angioplasty or bypass surgerywithout the risk.
These lifestyle changes also help with weight management. A healthy weight helps protect against many diseases and can help you live longer.
Who Should Be Treated
In a sense, everyone. That’s because no cholesterol level is too good. But people with unhealthy levels should work hard to improve, while those with ideal results can afford to relax a bit. Table 1 shows the goals established by the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults.
Cholesterol is a crucial determinant of cardiovascular health, but it’s only one. In fact, smoking is even more dangerous than unhealthy cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure, diabetes, and lack of exercise are nearly as harmful. Because each risk factor adds to the harm of others, people with the most risk need the most vigorous treatment. Table 2 shows how an individual’s risk profile influences the choice of therapy.
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Types Of Statins Available
There are several types of statins available. They include:
High-intensity statins:
- pravastatin
- simvastatin
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 , Pravachol , 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.
A Guide To Cholesterol Medication
Cholesterol medications help lower total cholesterol within the body. Cholesterol is a natural waxy, fat-like substance that is carried through the bloodstream to different organs and tissues. Although cholesterol is essential for human health, too much bad cholesterol or not enough good cholesterol can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. This is because LDL can build up in the arteries, causing the artery to limit blood flow. HDL is important because it clears the build-up of such damaging cholesterol.
Doctors used to advise us to avoid foods that are high in cholesterol, which include animal products, such as milk, eggs, and meat. They now say that eating foods high in cholesterol does not cause a persons cholesterol levels to increase. However, red meat and whole milk are not healthy for other reasons. On the other hand, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains can help us reduce our cholesterol levels and has been shown to help prevent heart disease and cancer.
High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood produced from unused calories, can also increase your risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol-lowering medications work by blocking the substance your body needs to make cholesterol. Medications may also reduce triglycerides and help your body reabsorb cholesterol that has built up as plaque on your artery walls. This prevents further blockage in your blood vessels and potential heart attacks.
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What Is The Best Medication For High Cholesterol
Treatment of high cholesterol depends on several variables, so there is no best medication for high cholesterol. Many patients can successfully control cholesterol levels by committing to lifestyle and dietary changes. These dont work in every case, so a combination of lifestyle changes and medications can help reduce blood cholesterol levels. The type and dose of the medication will depend on the drugs effectiveness, the patients tolerance of side effects, and other factors.
| Best medications for high cholesterol | |
|---|---|
| Drug Name | |
| 140 mg injected under the skin every two weeks | Injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract infection, back pain |
Many of the standard dosages above are from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.
What Foods Should I Eat What Foods Should I Avoid
Maintaining a healthy diet can help lower your cholesterol. Recommended foods include fruits and vegetables whole grain foods fat-free, 1%, or low-fat milk products poultry without skin and lean meats fatty fish such as salmon, trout, albacore tuna, and sardines and unsalted nuts, seeds, and legumes.
A diet high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats should be avoided. This includes high-sodium foods sweetened or sugary beverages red, fatty, or processed meats full-fat dairy products baked goods with saturated and trans fats solid fats or fried foods and hydrogenated and saturated oils.
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What Are Cholesterol Medications
Cholesterol-lowering medications are prescribed drugs and therefore, cannot be bought over the counter. The most common among these medicines are statins, which are needed to slow down an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. As such, the cholesterol produced is reduced. Although there are other medications for cholesterol, statins are the most recommended because they are the ones that work to lower heart attack or stroke risk.
The primary objectives of cholesterol-lowering medications are:
- To bring down ones LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease
- To reduce triglycerides, which is fat found in the blood thats also responsible for increases heart disease risk
- To bring up the levels of HDL or high-density lipoprotein, or the right cholesterol. LDL can help protect and guard against heart disease
The best cholesterol medication does all these for high-risk patients. There are different types of statins, but all work to bring down LDL and triglycerides, while also increasing HDL levels. These statins are Altoprev or lovastatin, Crestor or rovustatin, Lescol or fluvastatin, Lipitor or atorvastatin, Livalo or pitavastatin, Pravachol or pravastatin, and Zocor or simvastatin.
There are also cholesterol-lowering treatments that are injected. These injectable medications like Praluent or alirocumab and Repatha or evolocumab are used to reduce LDL levels in patients with a genetic condition that results in high LDL levels.
High Cholesterol In The United States
- In 20152016, more than 12% of adults age 20 and older had total cholesterol higher than 240 mg/dL, and more than 18% had high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels less than 40 mg/dL.1
- Slightly more than half of the U.S. adults who could benefit from cholesterol medicine are currently taking it.2
- 93 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL. Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL.3
- 7% of U.S. children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 have high total cholesterol.3
- High cholesterol has no symptoms, so many people dont know that their cholesterol is too high. A simple blood test can check cholesterol levels.
- Having high blood cholesterol raises the risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death, and for stroke, the fifth leading cause of death.
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
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Who Should Buy A Cholesterol Supplement
Cholesterol supplements are usually taken by those who need to lower the LDL cholesterol levels. Most people realize that their levels are off after a trip to their doctor. Typically, they are given medication and prompted to make dietary changes. However, supplements can also be used besides these strategies to see faster results.
If this describes you, a cholesterol supplement may be just what youre looking for. These supplements contain a wide variety of ingredients. If one doesnt work, another one might. Feel free to try multiple supplements to find which one works best for you.
Cholesterol supplements may also be useful for those who are worried about their heart health. Many of these supplements are also very heart-healthy, which is extremely useful if youre at risk for heart disease or other heart problems. Whether you have a family history of heart disease or just want to protect your heart, these supplements can also be useful in these cases.
Setting Your Cholesterol Goal
The target for your bad cholesterol depends on your risk factors for heartdisease. Risk factors are things that increase your chance of having a heart attackor stroke. If you have more risk factors, your doctor or nurse will recommend alower target for your bad cholesterol. Talk with your doctor or nurse about settingyour cholesterol goal.
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How Does My Health Care Provider Decide Which Cholesterol Medicine I Should Take
When deciding which medicine you should take and which dose you need, your health care provider will consider
- Your cholesterol levels
- Your risk for heart disease and stroke
- Your age
- Any other health problems you have
- Possible side effects of the medicines. Higher doses are more likely to cause side effects, especially over time.
Medicines can help control your cholesterol, but they don’t cure it. You need to keep taking your medicines and get regular cholesterol checks to make sure that you cholesterol levels are in a healthy range.
What Are The Common Side Effects Of High Cholesterol Medication
The side effects of cholesterol medications will vary depending on the type of medication. This is not a complete list of possible side effects, so consult with a healthcare professional about any questions or concerns regarding side effects or drug interactions.
Among cholesterol-reducing medications, statins are the safest. The most common side effect of statins is muscle pain. In worst-case scenarios, statins can destroy muscle tissues and precipitate kidney failure. Some statins can also cause common cold symptoms, joint pain, and diarrhea. Other side effects may include liver problems, kidney problems, and elevated blood sugar. Statins may cause rare, adverse effects like behavioral changes and memory problems.
The most common side effects of fibrates include abdominal pain, nausea, and headache. Fibrates may also irritate the liver and increase liver enzymes, which could lead to liver injury. Other side effects of fibrates may include muscle pain, leg cramps, and diarrhea. The risk of muscle pain goes up when fibrates are taken with statins.
The most common side effects of ezetimibe are runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and diarrhea.
In clinical doses, niacin may produce unpleasant side effects. Four out of five patients will experience facial flushing and one out of five will experience nausea, itching, or a tingling or numbing sensation on the skin. In clinical doses, niacin may increase the risk of high blood sugar levels or bleeding.
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What Are Common Challenges To Lowering Ldl
Changing lifestyle
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You and your doctor have probably discussed changing diet and increasing exercise to help lower LDL-C
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Even after the best efforts at making these lifestyle changes, many people still struggle to lower their LDL-C enough. This is because in some people, genetics plays a role in determining high LDL-C
Sticking to treatment
Your doctor may have prescribed medicine for you to take every day to lower LDL-C. However, it can sometimes be difficult sticking to a daily treatment. Some common treatment challenges are:
-
Side effects like muscle aches can prevent some people from continuing treatment or staying on high doses of statins
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Difficulty remembering to take their medicine every day can also prevent people from staying on treatment
After having these experiences, some may stop taking their medicine altogether out of frustration. It is important to always follow your doctor’s instructions.
Accessing other treatments
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Some other treatments used for treating high LDL-C may be expensive or have insurance challenges
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The inability to get medicines other than statins can prevent some people from being able to properly manage ASCVD and high LDL-C
Bile Acid Binding Resins
For example, the FDA has approved a class of drugs known as bile acid binding resins, which were the first cholesterol drugs before statins. Studies in the 1980s showed that these medications lower heart disease risk. One reason they arent often prescribed is that patients have to take a lot of them compared to statins. Bile acid binding resins come in powder form or require taking up to six pills a day. Also, they can cause gastrointestinal side effects.Weve known since the 1990s that statins benefit patients at high risk for stroke and heart disease. Today, several investigators are researching which complementary medications can be prescribed on top of statins to make them even more beneficial and protective.One of these is a drug called Ezetimibe, which on its own provides a modest reduction in cholesterol. Its also been shown recently to lower heart attack and stroke risk when taken in addition to a statin.
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Our Choice For The Best Medication For Lowering Cholesterol
Our choice for the best cholesterol medication product is Concerning Lifes Cholestero Destroyer. This products name is 100% apt for what it does it effectively destroys and reduces the bad cholesterol in the body and blood. The fact that it contains niacin, one of the essential ingredients for good heart health, is already a plus factor.
An additional advantage is the fact that it contains other powerful ingredients like cayenne, policosanol, garlic, and gugulipid. All these components help in lowering LDL and cholesterol levels, while also preventing the liver from overproducing cholesterol.
Concerning Lifes Cholesto Destroyer is an all-in-one best cholesterol medication because it does not focus on only one aspect of the problem. Moreover, although there are users who complained about adverse effects, these were mostly of their own doing. It is a useful and efficient cholesterol treatment product.
Heredity Can Play A Role
Some people inherit genes from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to have too much cholesterol. This is called familial hypercholesterolemia . The severity of FH is related to the duration and degree of LDL cholesterol in the blood. FH is dangerous because it can cause premature atherosclerotic heart disease.
If you have a family history of FH or problems related to high cholesterol, get your levels checked.
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Whats Your Cardiovascular Risk
Many other things besides cholesterol contribute to the health of your heart and blood vessels.
Some of them you can’t control, like your age, your sex, or your genes and family history. But there are many you can control.
You can help control the following factors that increase your chances of developing heart disease, having a heart attack or stroke, or developing some other form of cardiovascular disease:
- high cholesterol or triglycerides
Factors that lower your chances of getting heart disease include:
- a healthy diet
- regular exercise
- high HDL
The best ways to estimate your odds of having a heart attack or stroke are to talk with your doctor and to use a risk calculator developed by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
How Do You Treat High Cholesterol
If at some point your doctor tells you that your cholesterol is high, there is a very good chance that Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes will be discussed soon after. TLC includes diet, exercise and weight management. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, here we go again with the diet and exercise talk, stop and think about it. A few improvements in the foods you eat, coupled with reasonable increases in your activity, can have a significant impact on your cholesterol levels. If you could put that health impact in the form of a pill, people would probably be willing to stand in line for days to get a bottle. It only takes a few weeks to build new healthy habits, but over time your health will benefit greatly.
When you are not able to lower your cholesterol levels enough through lifestyle changes alone, your doctor may couple those changes with drug therapies. Some of the medications available include:
Statins that reduce the amount of cholesterol produced by your liver
Bile acid sequestrants that reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs from your diet
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors reduce the number of triglycerides in your blood and reduce the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from your diet
Certain vitamins and supplements that stop your liver from removing HDL
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements that raise the level of HDL and lowers triglycerides
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Medications For High Triglycerides
Many people who have high cholesterol also have high triglycerides . Some medications can help lower this type of fat directly. Once these levels go down, the total amount of cholesterol is often lowered.
A common prescription for high triglycerides is niacin or vitamin B-3. Niacin can help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol .
This is a good option for people who dont respond well to other medications because the side effects of niacin are mild. People taking this medication might experience the following:
- flushing of the face
- nausea
When more aggressive treatment is necessary to treat high triglycerides, a class of medications called fibrates is often prescribed.
Also, dietary supplements of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have been shown to reduce triglyceride levels.