High total blood cholesterol increases your risk of arterial plaque build up and heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is a primary contributor to fat-like accumulation in your blood vessels. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is another form of cholesterol that serves to remove LDL from your bloodstream and returns it to your liver for processing and later elimination. The brand medication Crestor is indicated to lower your LDL and raise your HDL levels.
Crestor Raises HDL
Statin medications like Crestor are prescribed by your physician as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to help you lower the bad cholesterol, LDL, and raise your good cholesterol, HDL. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Crestor for the purpose of lowering LDL and raising HDL to slow the progression of arterial blockage resultant from high cholesterol levels. Research studies further support that rosuvastatin, the generic name for Crestor, does serve this action. A 2009 double-blind study published in "Diabetes Care" found that compared with placebo subjects administered rosuvastatin had significant increases in HDL levels.
Crestor Lowers LDL
According to the manufacturer of Crestor, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, daily doses of this medication can lower your LDL by up to 52 percent as compared with placebo. The manufacturer also claims that Crestor raises your HDL by up to 14 percent. However, individual results may vary depending on other dietary and lifestyle factors. LDL may accumulate in your bloodstream as a result of poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking or as a health complication resulting from diabetes or high blood pressure.
Optimal LDL and HDL Levels
Your total cholesterol is optimal at 200 mg/dL or less and medical intervention may be warranted if your serum levels range from 200 to 238 mg/dL, indicating borderline high. A high blood cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and above puts you at high risk for heart disease and intervention with medications like Crestor may help you get your levels back down to healthy range. Ideally, you also want your HDL to measure at 60 mg/dL and above for cardio-protective effects and you want your LDL to remain low at 100 mg/dL or less.
Tips to Manage Cholesterol
Along with physician recommended medications and monitoring you can take steps to manage your cholesterol with simple changes to your lifestyle. Heart-healthy foods including fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains not only help to lower your LDL but may improve HDL levels. Eat a primarily plant-based diet and choose healthy fats from poultry and fish instead of red meat or fried foods. Minimize your consumption of whole dairy and replace it with low-fat versions. Daily exercise can help improve your cholesterol levels but consult your physician for recommendations based on your health.
References
- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals: Crestor Approved Uses
- MayoClinic.com; Statins; Are These Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Right For You?; Mayo Clinic Staff; Feb. 11, 2010
- Diabetes Care; Effects of Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin on LDL and HDL Paricle Concentrations in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome; Robert S. Rosenson, M.D. et al; March 5, 2009
- American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals: Lowering Cholesterol and Slowing Plaque Buildup
