The body requires cholesterol, a waxy substance, in order to function. Too much cholesterol however, causes arteries to narrow increasing the risk for coronary heart disease, angina and heart attack. Although some patients can manage cholesterol...
The Mayo Clinic recognizes cholesterol as important for building healthy cells in the body. However, high cholesterol stops this process by producing fatty deposits in the blood vessels, ultimately blocking blood flow through the arteries. The...
High cholesterol raises the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol can stick to blood vessel walls and cause a buildup of plaque. This narrows the arteries and reduces the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches the heart and/or...
Cholesterol is essential for some normal processes. Cholesterol is a structural component of the cell membrane and is a component of some hormones and vitamins and is required for the production of some bile acids. Synthesis occurs in the body,...
The most common drugs used to treat high cholesterol are often referred to as statins. Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol the liver produces. Although statins are considered safe, there can be side effects with any drugs. But side effects...
Tricor, manufactured by Abbott, is a member of the cholesterol-lowering class of drugs called the fibric acid derivatives. Its active ingredient is fenofibrate and it works by blocking the formation of triglycerides -- fat in the blood. Tricor...
A culmination of causes and risk factors result in an elevation of blood cholesterol; among them are heredity, lifestyle choices and dietary choices. In some cases, changes in lifestyle and eating habits are enough to lower blood cholesterol to...
Cholesterol is a naturally occurring fatty substance located in the cells of your body. It is carried through your blood by transporters called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins travel through your arteries and...
Welchol, the brand of colesevelam, is an antilipemic classified as a bile acid sequestrant. The medication is available with a doctor's prescription for the treatment of high LDL level, which the bad cholesterol. Welchol may be used alone or with...
Simvastatin is a commonly prescribed member of the statin drugs. These drugs are often used to treat high cholesterol because they prevent the liver from synthesizing new cholesterol. Statins are some of the most effective medications for lowering...
Unhealthy cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, and lowering blood cholesterol...
Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering medications known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. These play a very important role in people with elevated cholesterol in assisting in cardiovascular health. Lowering circulating cholesterol decreases...
Statins are a class of drugs that include simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin and others. These drugs are used to improve the fat and cholesterol profile of the blood. They work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase in the liver....
WelChol is a prescription medication used for the management of elevated levels of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol. It may be used alone or in combination with another cholesterol-lowering medication such as Zocor or Crestor. WelChol...
Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication your doctor may prescribe to block the production of cholesterol in your body. Simvastatin reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood, according to...
Besides the structural support calcium provides your bones and teeth, it may also help support your weight loss goals. Although getting calcium from food is a better choice, taking a calcium supplement is a good way to ensure you get enough. The...
There are many different types of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Each one works differently and each has its own unique side effects. Before taking any medications, author Thomas Andreoli in "Cecil Essentials of Medicine" suggests trying behavior...
Two major types of cholesterol are in the body: low-density lipoprotein, known as LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein, known as HDL or "good" cholesterol. Increased levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood may contribute to...
There are four main types of drugs used to lower blood levels of cholesterol: statins, nicotinic acid, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and bile-acid sequestrants. All of these can lower LDL, low-density lipoprotein. LDL is also known as "bad...
Doctors prescribe statins to lower cholesterol, so if you are considering stopping your daily dose, make sure it's with a physician's permission. Some people stop taking cholesterol medication because of unpleasant side effects, including...
Bezalip is the brand name of a medication that contains bezafibrate, a lipid-regulating medication used to treat high cholesterol. As of 2010, this medication is not marketed in the United States, but is available in other countries throughout the...
High levels of cholesterol in the blood, also known as "hypercholesterolemia," can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol levels occur by eating foods containing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is present in foods...
Cholesterol medications differ in their actions and effects. Some types list bloating as a major side effect, while other classes of cholesterol medications list a variety of other gastrointestinal side effects that can make the medications...
More than 16 percent of the U.S. adult population has a high blood cholesterol level equal to or greater than 240 milligrams per deciliter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood cholesterol increases your risk of...
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...
According to the American Heart Association, or AHA, elevated blood cholesterol is a major controllable risk factor for serious heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol levels are directly related to risk of heart disease, so it's important to start...
Your body manufactures cholesterol, which is a type of fat, in your blood. You also get cholesterol from eating foods such as eggs, meat, baked goods and deep-fried food. When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up in the...
Having a high cholesterol level in the bloodstream is a risk factor for developing coronary artery disease, the number one cause of death for American adults. Lowering a high cholesterol level involves lifestyle changes and a change in diet, but...
If you have high cholesterol and dietary and lifestyle changes that have proven inadequate, your doctor may recommend drug therapy. While cholesterol-lowering drugs can help lower your cholesterol levels, they do not come without risk. Some may...
