High cholesterol is a major controllable risk factor for heart disease and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, or AHA, each year approximately half a million people die of heart disease in the U.S., making it the number-one killer...
Cholesterol is a critical component of hormones and cell membranes. Some cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein or HDL, is good for the body, but the other cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein or LDL and triglycerides, is bad for the...
Cholesterol is synthesized by the liver and plays a role in keeping cellular membranes intact. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from cells. The American Heart Association says high levels of total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein...
If you have high cholesterol, you may have already tried diet and exercise to lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol. For some people, especially those with a family history of hypercholesterolemia, diet and exercise alone are...
According to the American Heart Association, high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. The medical consensus is that total cholesterol count over 200 mg/dL of blood is not healthy and warrants possible...
Medications can help lower your cholesterol levels, but they usually produce side effects. You can lower your cholesterol, however, by making healthier life choices. If exercise and a proper diet aren't part of your routine, change that....
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...
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...
Cholesterol-lowering medications are taken by millions of Americans to lower their LDL, or "bad" cholesterol and/or raise their HDL, or "good" cholesterol. The ultimate goal of these medications is to reduce the risk for developing heart disease...
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is a necessary structural component for your cells and tissues and also as a precursor to hormone molecules. While cholesterol is necessary, too much of it can be a bad thing. Your cholesterol comes from two...
Statins, bile acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, fibrates and niacin are all types of cholesterol medications your doctor can prescribe. Each of these drugs has its own side effects, some more common than others. Although weight...
Cholesterol levels directly correspond to an increased risk for heart disease. Increased cholesterol levels, especially low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels, are associated with atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attacks. Reducing...
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 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...
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...
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,...
According to the Nation Institutes of Health, approximately 50 percent of men and 30 percent of women will develop heart disease sometime during their lives. Lowering cholesterol can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Healthy lifestyle changes...
For the estimated 98 million Americans with high cholesterol, there are several options for lowering their risk for heart disease: diet, exercise and/or medications. Typically, when a patient is first diagnosed with cholesterol that's over 240...
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 a fatty, waxy substance that the body needs for normal function. However, too much cholesterol results in the buildup of cholesterol on the walls of arteries throughout the body, resulting in an increased risk for heart problems....
Simvastatin, sold as Zocor as a prescription medication, may be part of the treatment for high cholesterol levels. Simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, according to the Mayo Clinic, also may be used to treat...
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, and over 35 million Americans have high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Zocor is an FDA-approved prescription medication indicated for the treatment of high...
Simvastatin, also known as Zocor, belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowering medications called statins. This drug is typically prescribed to lower levels of LDL cholesterol, especially in people who are at risk for developing heart disease....
Pepto-Bismol, generic name bismuth subsalicylate, is an antacid that is used to relieve an upset stomach, heartburn, acid indigestion and nausea. Pepto-Bismol is also used to relieve traveler's diarrhea, gas, belching and fullness due 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...
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...
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...
Cholesterol is a fat that circulates in the blood and that is essential for all of the body's cells. But when the level of blood cholesterol is too high, fatty deposits may form on the inside of blood vessels. These deposits interfere with the...
According to the National Education Association Health Information Network, or NEA-HIN, depression is a common condition, with approximately 19 million people across all socioeconomic strata being diagnosed each year in the United States....