How to Use Statins to Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is both good and bad. It is a fat in the blood and the amount found in the body comes two-thirds from your liver and one-third from the animal food products you eat. These animal food products aren’t just meat, but milk and eggs and other by products as well. Too much and it can build up in the body, especially the blood vessels, and cause heart attacks and strokes. Too little and the body would not have all the required hormones it needs in the body.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• conversation with your doc about whether statins are right for your situation with cholesterol

1. Controlling Cholesterol
   Controlling cholesterol from getting too much in the body has been done by diet and exercise, or via medications. There are differing types of medications for cholesterol, one of which is the statin group of drugs. All statin drugs work by attempting to block the body from creating cholesterol. They may even reverse some of the artery clogging plaque that the cholesterol builds up in the vessel walls of arteries and veins.

2. High Cholesterol
   Cholesterol numbers are given after a simple blood test. A blood lipid test, what is called a cholesterol test, should be done frequently if you have any risk factors for high cholesterol. These tests should give you the results for HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides, not just the total cholesterol number. Having a full view of your cholesterol numbers can tell you a better breakdown on why your number is what it is, and where you need improvement. It is a better medical overall picture of your heart health having a complete test run, especially when there aren't many, if any, signs and symptoms of high cholesterol. High cholesterol is anything over 200 on a standard cholesterol screening. You may be able to lower this with plenty of fiber in your diet, lowering your intake of fat and cholesterol foods, and by exercising. Just by 30 minutes of exercise a day, you can greatly alter your cholesterol readings.

3. Statin Warnings
   If you are having any of the following symptoms, you’ll need to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible: muscle pain and weakness, dark colored urine, or fever. You should not use statins if you have liver disease, are pregnant, or if you are nursing. Medications you are on can alter the statin drugs, so make sure your doctor knows if you are taking anticoagulants, birth control pills, HIV medications, or niacin.

4. Statin Side Effects
   Dizziness and Headache
   Gas
   Diarrhea or Constipation
   Upset Stomach

5. Statin Cholesterol Reducing Drugs
   Zocor (simvastatin)
   Pravachol (pravastatin)
   Mevacor (Lovastatin)
   Altoprev (Lovastatin)
   Crestor (Rosuvastatin)
   Lescol (Fluvastatin)
   Lipitor (Atorvastatin)