Hdl Cholesterol Article
Cholesterol Medications
A plan of healthy eating and regular exercise will do much to maintain a satisfactory level of blood cholesterol. Sometimes, though, diet and exercise are not enough to control cholesterol levels in the blood.At such times, your doctor may recommend cholesterol medications. Many cholesterol medications exist in the marketplace. Before you select a cholesterol medication, you should understand what the medication is and what function it performs in your body.
Medications that lower the blood level of lipids such as LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, are called cholesterol or cholesterol-reducing medications. Such medications also contribute to the increase of DHL (good) cholesterol levels.
Types of Cholesterol medications
Some of the more common cholesterol medications include HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statin) and derivitives of fibric acid and nicotinic acid. Another kind of cholesterol medication decreases intestinal absorption of cholesterol. These are known as bile acid sequestants and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
Some cholesterol medications lower triglycerides, while others lower LDL cholesterol. Other medications work by increasing the HDL cholesterol level. A few cholesterol medications increase HDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol.
The most widely used and effective of all the cholesterol medications is statins. It is particularly effective in decreases levels of LDL cholesterol. Recent studies have shown that statins is reduces the incidence of strokes and heart attacks.
For those who have had a heart attack or stroke, statin increases survival rates. Statins is suitable for long-term use due to its minimal side effects. Statins reduce triglyceride levels and increase HDL cholesterol levels.
Nicotinic acid or “niacin” is another form of cholesterol medication. Niacin is commonly known as vitamin B. Triglycerides and Cholesterol problems have been treated successfully with high doses of niacin, while nicotinic acid can be used in treating patients with reduced HDL cholesterol levels.
Fibrates or fibric acid derivatives are effective and efficient cholesterol medication where a need for reduce levels of blood triglyceride is indicated.
Fibric acid reduces the manufacture of VLDL (a rich triglyceride lipo protein fraction found in the liver. Fibrates have been found to be effectice in reducing HDL Cholesterol levels, but are not effective as a treatment to lower LDL cholesterol. Fibrate type cholesterol medications may be used to prevent pancreatitis.
Bile acid sequestrants are used by the body for reducing LDL cholesterol level. To produce bile acid, cholesterol is converted in the liver’s bile acids.
Bile acid sequestrants bind the bile acids in the intestines, and thereby lessen the return of bile acids for the liver. When this happens, the liver behins to produce more bile acids. If taken with statin or niacin, bile acid sequestrants are very effective in lowering the LDL cholesterol.
It is vital to combine lifestyle changes and cholesterterrol medications for the individual. The National Cholesterol Education Programs estimates that over 9 million people in America along take cholesterol-lowering drug therapy.
Before beginning cholesterol medications, you should ask your doctor how each cholesterol medication. You should become familiar with the side effects which may occur.
It is estimated that over 8 million people in American take some type of a cholesterol-lowering drug therapy. But, before you take any medications, ask you health care provider how each medication works. This will give you a better knowledge of any side effects which may exist in the cholesterol medications that you plan to take.
