What Are Statins Used For
Having high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke. Statins are used to lower LDL cholesterol, and this helps lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Statins are considered the most effective group of cholesterol-lowering medicines available and work by blocking cholesterol production in the liver.
Statins are used in combination with other ways of lowering cholesterol, including eating a healthy diet, managing weight and exercising.
What Are The Precautions For Taking Cholesterol Medication
Looking for the best cholesterol medication means you need to know what precautions to take. Each drug has side effects like diarrhea, constipation, nausea, muscle soreness/pain/weakness, stomach pain, bloating, gas, fatigue, cramps, abdominal pain, flushing , peptic ulcers, vomiting, gout, high blood sugar, dizziness, heart palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, chills, indigestion, belching, swelling, itching, rashes, hives, flu, and swelling of nasal passages.
Additionally, statins can negatively react when taken in combination with grapefruit juice. Injectable medications may also cause some bruising or pain on the area that was injected.
These side effects do not show up together or all at once. Most of them are also mild. To properly manage these, you need to consult with your doctor before taking any medication. Even the best cholesterol medication can only efficiently work if taken correctly, in correct dosages and amounts.
Side effects like these are the primary reason why some people including doctors prefer to go more natural on their cholesterol medication choices.
Prescription Drugs For Cholesterol And 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.
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Does Exercise Decrease Blood Triglycerides
Triglycerides. Unlike cholesterol, triglycerides are used for fuel, especially during aerobic exercise. Exercise is most effective to reduce triglycerides if you have high levels and your exercise is moderate or vigorous. Unlike the change in other lipids, lower triglycerides are usually present right after exercise.
When it comes to lowering cholesterol, there is no single exercise that works. Reducing cholesterol levels requires a combination of diet, exercise, lifestyle modifications, and medication if necessary.
However, regular exercise can help promote good health overall, especially if you incorporate aerobic exercises and resistance training.
Mechanism Accounting For The Pcsk9 Inhibitor Induced Lipid Effects
The linkage of PCSK9 with lipoprotein metabolism was first identified by Abifadel and colleagues in 2003, when they demonstrated that certain mutations in PCSK9 could result in the phenotypic appearance of Familiar Hypercholesterolemia . Subsequent studies demonstrated that gain of function mutations in PCSK9 are an uncommon cause of Familiar Hypercholesterolemia . In 2005 it was shown that loss of function mutations in PCSK9 resulted in lower LDL-C levels and this decrease in LDL-C levels is associated with a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events .
The main route of clearance of clearance of plasma LDL is via LDL receptors in the liver . When the LDL particle binds to the LDL receptor the LDL particle- LDL receptor complex is taken into the liver by endocytosis . The LDL particle and the LDL receptor then disassociate and the LDL lipoprotein particle is delivered to lysosomes where it is degraded and the LDL receptor returns to the plasma membrane . After endocytosis LDL receptors recirculate back to the plasma membrane over 100 times.
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Why Is It Important To Lower Cholesterol Levels
As it was said, high bad cholesterol levels may lead to heart attacks and strokes. And thats the most important reason to lower cholesterol levels of all. When its level becomes too high, it starts to stock up in your body, forming lesions, particularly in blood vascular system, and it gets harder for the blood to get to your heart and back. Which mean, you become oxygen deficient and your tissues and organs dont get enough blood. And when these lesions split, they can form clots, which causes thromboembolic disease, heart attacks, and strokes and can lead to a fatal outcome.
How Do Fibrate Drugs Work
Fibrates reduce the amount of very-low-density lipoprotein your liver makes. VLDL particles carry triglycerides to other parts of your body. By limiting how much VLDL your body makes, these medicines lower your triglyceride levels.
Fibrate drugs also increase the amount of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II your liver makes. These two proteins help create HDL cholesterol. Creating more of these proteins increases your HDL cholesterol levels.
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How To Eat To Lower Your Cholesterol
One of the biggest trends in diet and nutrition advice is a movement away from talking about specific micronutrients and optimal daily servings of this or that food group. Instead, nutrition experts now talk a lot more about broad patterns of healthy eating. This means limiting certain foods while prioritizing others, rather than trying to hit narrow targets.
Something I tell a lot of my patients is that the Greek derivation of diet is diaeta, which means a way of life, Sperling says. Dieting shouldnt be torture, or something you maintain for a month. It should be a meaningful and purposeful change you can extend throughout your life.
In this spirit, he says one of the most important changes you can make is to pack your meals with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Many of the most effective and evidence-backed cholesterol-lowering eating planslike the Mediterranean dietprioritize these foods, he says.
She adds that protein-rich soy-based productsfrom tofu to soy milks and yogurtsmay also be good substitutes for meat, butter, milk, and other conventional saturated fat sources. People in America are fixated on protein, but Americans dont really like to eat soy products, she says. This is unfortunate because research stretching back several decades has linked soy to improved heart health and lower blood cholesterol levels. If you need to replace saturated fats with other proteins, soy would be a good option, she says.
How To Cope With Side Effects
What to do about:
- stomach pain try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Puttinga heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. If youre in a lot of pain, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
- diarrhoea drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Speak to a doctor if diarrhoea lasts for more than a week after you start ezetimibe.
- farting try to not eat foodsthat cause wind . Eat smaller meals, eat and drink slowly, andexercise regularly. There are pharmacy medicines that may also help, such as charcoal tablets or simeticone. Peppermint tea may also help.
- feeling tired try to relax when possible and avoid intense exercise to see if that helps. If these symptoms do not go away after 1 to 2 weeks, ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
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How To Reduce Triglycerides: Exercise Exercise Exercise
If youre carrying around a little extra weight, get moving! To get in shape and lower your triglycerides at the same time, start a regular workout routine.
The goal should be 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week. When you exercise, be sure to break a sweat and get your heart pumping. With this routine you can cut your triglycerides by 20% to 30%.
New to exercise? Wondering where to start?
- Sign up for a dance class.
- Find time each day for a brisk walk.
- Lift light-weight dumbbells
How To Reduce Cholesterol Through Your Diet
The USDA developed a guide for adults and children called MyPlate which replaces the obsolete food pyramid. With the MyPlate approach, there are five food groups in set proportions: fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy.
The plate is divided into sections:
- Vegetables: 40% of the plate
- Protein: 20% of the plate
- Grains: 30% of the plate
- Fruit: 10% of the plate
- Dairy: Small cup of yogurt or a glass of fat-free milk
Dividing the plate this way makes it easier to understand the types and quantity of food to include in each meal to make it balanced. This diet plan can also help those with high cholesterol levels to eat a healthy diet without excess fat.
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Based On The Above Points A Good Fish Oil/algal Oil Should Meet The Following Conditions:
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Becoming More Physically Active
A sedentary lifestyle lowers HDL cholesterol. Less HDL means theres less good cholesterol to remove bad cholesterol from your arteries.
Physical activity is important. At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week is enough to lower both cholesterol and high blood pressure. And you have lots of options: brisk walking, swimming, bicycling or even yard work can fit the bill.
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Why Have I Been Offered Statins
Having a high level of LDL cholesterol is potentially dangerous, as it can lead to a hardening and narrowing of the arteries and cardiovascular disease .
CVD is a general term that describes a disease of the heart or blood vessels. It’s the most common cause of death in the UK.
The main types of CVD are:
- coronary heart disease when the blood supply to the heart becomes restricted
- angina chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles
- heart attacks when the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked
- stroke when the supply of blood to the brain becomes blocked
A doctor may recommend taking statins if either:
- you have been diagnosed with a form of CVD
- your personal and family medical history suggests you’re likely to develop CVD at some point over the next 10 years and lifestyle measures have not reduced this risk
Find out more about when statins may be recommended.
Does Exercise Burn Off Cholesterol
Exercise doesnt exactly burn excess cholesterol like it burns fat. According to a literature review in the journal Sports Medicine, scientists arent yet clear on why exercise lowers cholesterol, but they believe that it may improve the bodys ability to utilize fats rather than carbs for energy, effectively lowering the levels of fats, including cholesterol, in the blood.
Strength training is also very effective for lowering cholesterol, especially for people who cant do cardio exercise due to mobility issues. A 2019 study found that people who lifted weights for a total of one hour per week, but didnt engage in any cardiovascular activity, enjoyed a 40 to 70 percent lower risk for heart attack or stroke than those who didnt lift. Resistance training, like cardio, may lower cholesterol levels because it causes the muscles to burn fat. Both types of exercise also help you reduce your body mass index, or BMI, another important risk factor for high cholesterol and heart disease.
Although your overarching goal for exercising is to lower your cholesterol, regular exercise also leads to weight loss, healthier hair and skin, better mental health, and improved overall health.
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What Causes High Triglycerides
Aside from consuming a high-fat and/or high-carb diet, other lifestyle factors can contribute to high triglycerides, specifically excess weight, lack of exercise, drinking too much alcohol and smoking. Dr. Malaney adds that it can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as some birth control pills, beta blockers, antipsychotics medications, and corticosteroids.
Alternatives To Statins For Lowering Cholesterol
Your best treatment option for high cholesterol depends on many factors.
Before your doctor recommends a prescription medication, they will look at several things, such as:
- your family medical history
- your risk for heart disease
Many doctors prefer to start with changes to diet and exercise. If those changes dont have enough effect, you might start taking medication to help the process along.
Statins are one commonly prescribed medication for controlling cholesterol, but these drugs might not be right for everyone. There are several treatment options for high cholesterol, including other medications and lifestyle changes.
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How Are Triglycerides Measured
Your doctor may give you a common test called a lipid panel. It checks for different types of cholesterol, including the levels of the “good” kind and the “bad” kind. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone 21 and older get a lipid panel at least every 5 years.
The levels are checked after an overnight fast. Fat from a recent meal can muddy the picture.
These tests are important because you rarely have any symptoms when your triglycerides are high, unlike with many other conditions.
The Effects Of Alcohol On Triglycerides And Ldl
Moderate alcohol intake can increase HDL cholesterol, and thats a plus. It also might increase insulin sensitivity and cause other positive health responses. The recommendation for alcohol use is mild or moderate consumption. Using alcohol in moderation is considered one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
Note: The beneficial effects of alcohol are not great enough to endorse the use of alcohol if you do not already drink. Talk with your health care provider about the pluses and minuses of alcohol for you and your health.
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Who Should Take Statins
Australian guidelines, along with international guidelines, recommend that statins be used by:
- people who have had a heart attack or stroke, or who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease
- people at high risk of a cardiovascular event, such as heart attack or stroke
Factors that can put you at high risk of cardiovascular disease include:
- overweight or obesity
- a family history of high cholesterol, heart attack or stroke
If you are at high risk, you will also likely be given medication to lower blood pressure as well as a statin, and advised to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.
Triglycerides In Your Blood
In addition to cholesterol, your blood also contains a type of fat called triglycerides, which are stored in your bodys fat deposits. Hormones release triglycerides to make energy between meals.
When you eat, your body converts any extra energy it doesnt need right away into triglycerides.Like cholesterol, your body needs triglycerides to work properly. However, there is evidence to suggest that some people with high triglycerides are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
If you regularly eat more energy than you need, you may have high triglycerides.
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Who Should Use Fibrates
Your healthcare provider may prescribe fibrates to reduce your triglycerides and/or raise your HDL cholesterol levels. Although triglycerides are associated with cardiovascular disease, it has not been consistently established that taking fibrates reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Lowering triglycerides using fibrate medications is a key step in reducing the risk for pancreatitis.
Which Medicines Can Lower Triglycerides
For some people, good habits may not be enough. Medication might be needed. The decision for you and your doctor can be complicated because other health conditions are usually involved. Several types of medicine can improve levels. They include:
- High doses of omega-3s are needed to lower triglycerides and should be taken only under a doctor’s care. Epanova, Lovaza, and Vascepa are prescription forms of omega-3s.
Your doctor may also prescribe a class of drugs called âstatinsâ that lower cholesterol. Examples include: atorvastatin , rosuvastatin , and simvastatin .
You may feel side effects from these drugs. Be sure to talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist.
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Are You Serious About Reducing Cholesterol
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Choose Foods That Help Improve Your Ldl And Hdl Levels
Following a healthy eating plan can play a big role in your overall health, including your blood sugar and blood lipid control. What you eat and your cholesterol levels go hand in hand.
Foods that can help lower cholesterol:
Fiber , healthy fats , and plant stanols or sterols have all been shown to help lower cholesterol.
Other ways to improve cholesterol:
Reduce sugar intake: Cut the amount of added sugars you eat. This is especially important for people with high triglycerides. The grams of sugars on the Nutrition Facts label of a food package, however, doesnt tell you if sugars have been added . Instead, look at the ingredients list for items such as sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or agave to see if there are added sugars in the product. Natural sugars, such as those found in fruit and dairy products, are also counted as sugars on the Nutrition Facts label. Limit how much sugar you use to sweeten drinks or in recipes.
Limit high-cholesterol foods: People with diabetes should consume no more than 200 milligrams of cholesterol per day, according to the ADA.
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