Levels of LDL cholesterol can rise in the body because of high cholesterol consumption in the diet, obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption and genetic reasons. Cholesterol medications reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in...
Most people realize that their cholesterol levels are an important part of their health, especially as they get older. High cholesterol can result in atherosclerosis, which can contribute to heart disease. Some people, especially those with other...
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and cells of the body. It functions as a vital component in hormone production, cell membrane formation and other bodily functions. Cholesterol poses no problem until levels...
Increase in blood cholesterol levels is associated with a rise in your chances of developing a stroke and heart disease like a heart attack. In addition to exercise, a healthy diet that includes fruits vegetbles, whole grains and low-fat foods can...
A number of cholesterol-lowering medications exist to help you reduce your risk of developing heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Not every medication is effective for every type of cholesterol; TriCor is one doctors prescribe for high...
Statistics compiled in 2008 from the American Heart Association indicate that 106.7 million Americans 20 years of age and older have total blood cholesterol levels more than 200 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL. High cholesterol is one of the...
Although your body needs cholesterol for many metabolic reactions, your risk for heart disease and stroke is increased when its level in your blood becomes too high. Excess cholesterol may produce fatty deposits on the walls of your arteries,...
Numerous cholesterol medications exist to lower your cholesterol, however, each one differs slightly. Some are more effective for LDL "bad" cholesterol, while others work better for triglycerides with little impact on your LDL. In addition, each...
Diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes can favorably affect your cholesterol levels. However, for some people, lifestyle changes do not sufficiently lower cholesterol levels. Should this occur, your doctor will prescribe cholesterol...
A low high-density lipoprotein or "good" cholesterol level in your blood results in an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, says the American Heart Association. Healthy lifestyle habits and medications can help increase your HDL cholesterol...
When you take two or more drugs together, there is always the potential for interactions. These are called drug-drug interactions. Sometimes, certain foods or drinks may also affect the way your medicine works. These are known as drug-food...
Different classes of cholesterol-lowering medications work by different mechanisms. Statins block cholesterol synthesis in the liver, while cholesterol absorption inhibitors decrease cholesterol absorption. Other drugs increase bile production;...
If you have unhealthy cholesterol levels, chances are your doctor has talked with you about ways to improve your numbers. Changes in lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, are instrumental when it comes to improving your cholesterol, but in some...
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Some patients are able to lower cholesterol with lifestyle changes, while others require medication. Finding the right type and dose of medication may take some...
According to 2006 data presented by the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death among Americans, and high cholesterol is one of the principal risk factors for coronary heart disease. This association has...
Eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice can be a healthy part of your diet. This citrus fruit provides you with high levels of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, inositol, pectin, folic acid, beta-carotene and bioflavonoids while containing few...
Statins are a group of cholesterol-lowering medications that prevent cholesterol production in the body by inhibiting the enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase. Not all statins are affected by grapefruit consumption. The Harvard Medical School Family Health...
Hypercholesterolemia is one of the top risk factors for heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans; however, treatment with conventional cholesterol-lowering medications may not be an option for everyone. A 2009 Medical...
Cholesterol is necessary for the production of cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that aid digestion. Cholesterol helps the brain form memories and is vital to neurological functions. But too much cholesterol can raise health risks...
The liver is central to the metabolism of cholesterol because it produces and regulates proteins that traffic cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol elevation may be due to congenital reasons, abnormal metabolism, or a result of excessive intake of...
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...
Lemons are a tasty addition to many dishes and can add life to a glass of water. You can use lemon juice in place of traditional salad dressings for a healthier salad. A member of the citrus family, lemon has many health benefits. However, some...
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,...
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...
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,...
No available published evidence evaluates whether chia seeds prove safe or harmful if taken with cholesterol-lowering medicines. Chia seeds, a plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, cause allergic reactions in some people. Limited research suggests...
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...
Cholesterol lowering medications are a common treatment for high cholesterol levels. The Food and Drug Administration recommends combining a low fat, low cholesterol diet and exercise with these drugs for the best attempt at lowering cholesterol...
Untreated high cholesterol can result in arterial damage, heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol treatment typically begins with a low-fat, high-fiber diet, followed by the introduction of cholesterol-lowering medications. Cholesterol...
Congestive heart failure, or congestive cardiac failure, is the failure of the heart resulting from any structural or functional disorder. Learn more about congestive heart failure in this health video.
Take control of cholesterol. Learn the facts about cholesterol and tips for lowering cholesterol count in this video.
