Treat High Cholesterol (Heart Health)
If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you may need to take medication and make certain lifestyle changes to improve your health. There are several types of drugs available to lower cholesterol, including statins, bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid, fibric acids, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.Your doctor can help decide which type of drug is best for you:
Statin drugs are very effective in lowering “bad” LDL levels and are safe for most people.
Bile acid sequestrants also lower LDL and can be used alone or in combination with statin drugs.
Nicotinic acid lowers LDL and triglycerides and raises “good” HDL.
Fibric acids lower LDL somewhat but are used mainly to treat high triglyceride and low HDL levels.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors lower LDL and can be used alone or in combination with statin drugs.
Once your LDL goal has been reached, your doctor may prescribe treatment for high triglycerides and/or a low HDL level, if you have either or both conditions. Treatment usually includes losing weight, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and possibly taking medication.
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