High cholesterol can pose a great health risk if it's not treated promptly and properly. Your doctor uses the results of your lipid profile, or cholesterol test, to devise your treatment plan if your cholesterol levels are too high. He is not the only person with a say in this plan, though. It is your body, and if he decides a cholesterol-lowering medication is necessary, step in and make sure it's the right option for you.
Consider Your Risk Factors
Every person is different, and your risk factors for heart disease vary from those of other patients'. The most common include tobacco use, obesity, lack of activity, family history of heart disease, medical conditions such as high-blood pressure or diabetes and a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol. The more risk factors you have, the more aggressive your treatment plan needs to be. This typically includes the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Making Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
In most cases your doctor will advise dietary and lifestyle changes before prescribing cholesterol medicine, according to the Mayo Clinic website. If you adhere strictly to these changes, and your cholesterol does not fall within a healthy range, medication may be necessary to prevent heart disease. Some people have a condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia. This causes high cholesterol levels from birth, and drug therapy is usually required in combination with weight loss, exercise and diet, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Ask Questions
If your doctor thinks cholesterol-lowering medication is necessary, ask him what drug he is prescribing, its efficacy and any side effects you might experience. Although most medications are tolerated well, all can have unpleasant side effects. Statins can cause stomach, muscle and joint pain, nausea, constipation and diarrhea. Liver damage is also possible in rare instances. Other drugs such as bile acid resins can increase your triglycerides, fibrates can result in gallstones, and niacin can increase your blood pressure.
Consider This
Cholesterol-lowering medications have many advantages; they can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease when all other methods prove unsuccessful. If you experience side effects from one, your doctor has a variety of other medications to choose from until the right one is found. If you do not agree with your doctor's choice, make an appointment with another and get a second opinion. It is your body and your health; make sure you have all the facts to make an educated decision.
