Cholesterol Treatment Options
If you have high cholesterol, that may put you at a higher risk for heart disease. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke. But there are ways to help improve your heart health. You can change your lifestyle through diet, exercise, and, if needed, a cholesterol medication.
Diet and Exercise
A healthy diet is important when working to lower your cholesterol. Small changes can make a big impact on lowering bad cholesterol (LDL). These may include:
- Increasing your intake of soluble fiber
- Lowering your intake of saturated fats
- Reducing fat intake to about 30% of your total calories in a day
Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise is also good for your heart. Regular exercise can increase your good cholesterol (HDL) levels. And it can lower your risk of heart disease. Exercising 30 minutes each day is a great goal. Talk with your doctor before you start an exercise program.
Cholesterol-Lowering Medication
For 2 out of 3 adults with high cholesterol, diet and exercise alone may not be enough.
In fact, your body makes about 75% of your cholesterol. Only about 25% comes from the food you eat. For many people a cholesterol medicine is needed in addition to a healthy diet and daily exercise.
Along with diet and exercise, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your cholesterol. LIPITOR is clinically proven to lower bad cholesterol 39%-60%, when diet and exercise are not enough (average effect depending on dose).
LIPITOR is FDA approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, certain kinds of heart surgeries, and chest pain in patients with several common risk factors for heart disease, including family history of early heart disease, high blood pressure, age, low HDL ("good" cholesterol), or smoking.
Remember, taking medication can be one important part of a treatment plan. Healthy diet and exercise are also important in reaching your heart-health goals.
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LIPITOR is a prescription medicine that is used along with a low-fat diet. It lowers the LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides in your blood. It can raise your HDL ("good" cholesterol) as well. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL, or family history of early heart disease.
LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients with diabetes and risk factors such as diabetic eye or kidney problems, smoking, or high blood pressure.
LIPITOR is not for everyone. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment and may adjust your dose.
Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.
When diet and exercise alone are not enough, adding LIPITOR can help lower cholesterol. LIPITOR is one of many cholesterol-lowering treatment options that you and your doctor can consider.
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