Zetia, whose generic name is ezetimibe, is prescribed to lower high cholesterol, which can cause heart disease. Zetia reduces the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from the foods you eat. Your doctor may prescribe other cholesterol-lowering...
The body naturally makes cholesterol, a soft, waxy substance, which aids in the production of certain hormones and cell formation. However, high cholesterol levels can be dangerous because they contribute to heart disease. To reduce these numbers...
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, it is one of the many lipoproteins involved in the transport of cholesterol. HDL is sometimes called "good" cholesterol because it primarily removes cholesterol from the blood and sends it to the liver. Increasing...
Crestoris is the brand name for the medication rosuvastatin, which belongs to a class of cholesterol lowering medications called statins. Statins can cause a number of unpleasant side effects, so many patients prefer to take non-statin medications...
Maybe you are familiar with the terms statins, fibrates and bile acid resins. These are cholesterol-lowering medications your doctor may prescribe when diet and lifestyle changes prove unsuccessful in your attempt to lower your cholesterol. You...
Your heart generates blood pressure, and it is needed to circulate blood throughout the body. The blood pressure increases when cholesterol plaque builds up within the walls of arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. Anti-cholesterol...
Taking medication to lower your cholesterol is usually a last resort. More often than not, patients with high cholesterol are advised to modify their lifestyle first, such as eating a low fat diet, getting regular exercise, stopping smoking and...
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver similar to that seen in alcoholics. This disease is quite common and can show no signs or symptoms, while others may experience inflammation and scarring. In...
Cholesterol is a type of lipid, which means it can be found in fats and oils. Cholesterol is used by your body for a variety of functions, including making steroid hormones and making the membranes that surround all cells. However, too much...
High blood cholesterol is the cause of several health conditions, most notably heart and coronary disease. Although your body needs cholesterol to function properly, too much LDL, or "bad" cholesterol can quickly build up within the arteries,...
The health benefits of prescription statin medications that lower bad cholesterol have been widely reported, but they aren't the only form of therapy you can take if you have problems with cholesterol. There are a few other classes of medications,...
Cholesterol is a naturally occurring fat that is critical for good health. The liver makes cholesterol for the body, but cholesterol can also enter the body through dietary sources. Too much cholesterol can promote atherosclerosis and coronary...
Hyperlipidemia is a conditions marked by high levels of lipids (which include cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood. Hyperlipidemia can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which cholesterol forms plaques in the walls of the arteries,...
For most people, dietary and lifestyle changes are enough to lower cholesterol levels within a healthy range. However, your doctor may decide that drug therapy is necessary to increase the efficacy of your treatment plan. The type of...
According to the American Heart Association, when measuring cholesterol, you should aim for a cholesterol level of below 200mg/dL. Unfortunately, an estimated 98.6 million Americans have a cholesterol level higher than that. Of those, 34.4 million...
High cholesterol can be treated in a number of ways, including the use of prescription medications and through dietary changes. Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fatty fish, flaxseed oil and other foods, can be used to reduce your risk of...
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...
When your doctor places you on a cholesterol-lowering medication, it is only natural to believe you are on your way to improving your health. There is one catch in this plan, though, and this is the possible side effects accompanying the drug your...
Your inner eye holds a natural lens -- a clear, flexible structure that directs light onto the back of your eye, one of the many processes that must occur so you can see. Cataracts occur over time, turning the lens cloudy and hard, eventually...
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease. High amounts of cholesterol stick to the walls of the arteries and cause...
Ezetimibe is among the many cholesterol-lowering medications your doctor may prescribe to reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. A fairly new medication, receiving its approval from the FDA in 2009, ezetimibe is most effective...
Cholesterol is a waxy-like substance that your body uses to maintain good health. High amounts of bad cholesterol can place you at a high risk for heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease. Your liver and body cells produce large amounts of...
Crestor, also known as rosuvastatin, is a statin medication prescribed to treat high cholesterol. Statins are medications that work by blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is necessary for the body to produce cholesterol. In addition,...
You don't have to be confused by the complicated nature of your cholesterol report. Terms, such as HDL and LDL, simply differentiate between the good and bad cholesterol in your body. Believe it or not, your body does have good cholesterol,...
Cholesterol-lowering medications have proven to be highly effective at decreasing blood cholesterol levels and cardiac events. Before starting your new medication, be aware of the potential side effects. Your physician or pharmacist can help you...
Appropriate medications can significantly improve the quality of life of individuals with high cholesterol. Uncontrolled, high cholesterol poses a wide range of health risks. These drugs either reduce bad cholesterol or increase good cholesterol....
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that circulates throughout your body in your bloodstream. Because cholesterol is a lipid, it does not dissolve in the blood. Cholesterol is an important part of your cell membranes, and it contributes to the...
Dietary and lifestyle changes are usually the first line of defense against high cholesterol. For some people, however, these changes aren't enough to adequately improve the problem, so the addition of a cholesterol-lowering medication is...
Cholesterol and triglycerides, which are fat molecules, may be measured by a routine blood test. Individuals that have high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are placed on therapeutic lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and an...
