Category:Cholesterol Treatment

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the body and found in some foods.^[1] Only animal products contain cholesterol; the substance is not present in plant-based foods. Medical experts recommend that those with risk factors for heart disease consume 200 or fewer milligrams of cholesterol each day. Those who are not as susceptible to heart disease are advised to consume 300 or fewer milligrams a day.^[2]

People who have relatives with high cholesterol levels, those who weigh more than normal, and those who consume large amounts of fat are most prone to having high cholesterol.^[1]

High cholesterol may be treated with changes in the diet, as well as exercise regimens. This may mean consuming more fruits and vegetables, as well as avoiding high-cholesterol foods like eggs, chicken liver, beef, lamb, pork, shrimp and full-fat dairy products.^{[2] [1]} When lifestyle changes alone aren't effective enough, drugs such as statins and niacin may be recommended.^[3]

Cholesterol And Heart Disease

Every year in America, roughly 1.1 million people will experience a heart attack. Of these, 460,000 people will die from it.^[4] When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it builds up in the walls of the arteries, causing a type of heart disease called atherosclerosis. When this happens, the arteries narrow, and blood flow to the heart muscle is slowed down or blocked. Blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach it, chest pain will result. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.^[5] The target cholesterol level is below 200mg/dL.^[6]

Cholesterol Treatments

The first methods of defense against high cholesterol are typically behavioral. These include incorporating low-or-no-cholesterol foods into the diet and getting aerobic exercise.^[1]

If lifestyle changes have not caused enough improvement, or for those at high risk of cardiovascular problems, doctors will likely turn to prescription medications. In most cases, the first drug to be tried is a statin. Example of statins are Crestor, Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor. Statins will not negate a high-cholesterol diet, and are not a replacement for lifestyle changes.^[7] There are a number of side effects with statins, ranging from upset stomach and bowel issues to liver and kidney damage. Statins can also elevate blood sugar levels, leading to type 2 diabetes.

Sometimes niacin, also called vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is used to fight high cholesterol. It comes in over-the-counter supplements, as well as in prescriptions like Niaspan. The 2-in-1 drug Advicor contains niacin along with the statin Zocor. Niacin can raise levels of HDL, or "good" cholesterol, while lowering levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and can help clear the arteries. Niacin is considered safe, but can cause flushing and feelings of warmth.

Oomega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, found in fish oil, can also help treat high cholesterol. Fish oil is sold over the counter, and is also available in prescription Lovaza.

Other types of drugs that help lower cholesterol include bile acid binding resins like Colestid and Questran; cholesterol absorption inhibitors like Zetia; and fibrates like Lopid and TriCor.^[8]

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/cholesterol_content_of_foods/
3. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/cholesterol-lowering-medication
4. ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_attack/article.htm
5. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004903/
6. ↑ http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/What-Your-Cholesterol-Levels-Mean_UCM_305562_Article.jsp
7. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/features/high-cholesterol-treatment-what-works?page=2
8. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-medications/HB00042