Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be helpful if your cholesterol levels don’t reach to the healthy level by diet and exercise. Cholesterol lowering medicines are also given for people who have inherited a medical condition which causes high cholesterol.

What are the different types of cholesterol-lowering medicines?

There are about 5 types of cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins, resins, niacin, fibrates and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Each one of them works in a different way.

Statins
Statins are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that helps our body for making cholesterol. Statins aids to block this enzyme and as a result, it causes the body to produce less cholesterol. As cholesterol production is slowed down, our body indicates the liver to make more LDL receptors. The LDL receptors attract the LDL particles in the blood. Consequently the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood is reduced. Lesser LDL levels will lead to lesser triglyceride levels and higher HDL levels. The familiar brand names include Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.

Resins or Bile Acid Sequestrants
Bile is an acid that is used in the digestive process. Our body uses cholesterol to make bile. These resins bind to the bile, so that it cannot be used in the digestive process. The liver responds to the situation by producing more bile and it uses more cholesterol for the process. Thus the cholesterol level in the bloodstream is reduced. The familiar brand names are LoCholest, Colestid, Questran, Prevalite and Questran Light.

Nicotinic Acid or Niacin
Nicotinic acid is a form of vitamin B. It slows the liver’s production of some chemicals that aid LDL or bad cholesterol production. Niacin also helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL levels. The familiar brand names are Niacor, Nicolar and Slo-Niacin.

Fibric Acid Derivatives or Fibrates
Fibric acid derivatives are used for lowering triglyceride levels. They break down the particles which make triglycerides and use them in some other way in our body. Lower triglyceride levels may lead to increased HDL level. The familiar brand names are Atromid-S, Lopid and Tricor.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
LDL levels can be lowered using a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. This drug can be given in combination with a statin. This medicine works in the digestive tract by decreasing the quantity of cholesterol absorbed from the foods we eat. While taking this medicine it is essential that you live on cholesterol lowering diet. The familiar brand name is Zetia.

What are the common side effects of cholesterol-lowering medicines?

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating or gas, nausea and vomiting, headache, drowsiness, muscle aches and weakness, flushing and sleep problems are the common side effects that you may experience due to the cholesterol-lowering drugs. You should inform to your doctor when your side effects are severe.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance which is found in the cell membranes of all tissues and it is transported in the blood plasma. Cholesterol is a combination steroid and alcohol and it is produced by eukaryotes. Cholesterol plays a vital role in our body by producing vitamin D, bile acids that helps to digest fat and also hormones. Only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood will be needed to meet these needs.

Optimum amount of cholesterol is required for your body to do the work properly. Cholesterol in your blood is dangerous and it sticks to the walls of your arteries. It is called as plaque. It may narrow or block your arteries. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you are having high/low blood cholesterol. It can be detected only through blood test. As you get older, your cholesterol levels tend to rise. High cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease. Too much cholesterol in the bloodstream may get deposited in arteries which lead to the narrowing and blockages of arteries (including coronary arteries) that cause heart disease. You are likely to have high cholesterol if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods.

What are the primary sources for the formation of cholesterol?

The cholesterol in a person’s blood originates primarily from two major sources. They are food habits and liver production. Dietary cholesterol occurs mainly due to the consumption of food items such as fish, poultry, meat, milk and milk products. Non vegetarian foods are high in cholesterol content, where as foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol. The liver is capable of removing cholesterol from the blood circulation as well as manufacturing cholesterol and secreting cholesterol into the blood circulation.

How to diagnose blood cholesterol?

High blood cholesterol is diagnosed by checking the level of cholesterol in your blood by conducting a blood test called lipoprotein profile. You should not eat or drink anything for 9 to 12 hours before taking the test. The lipoprotein profile test will give the information about your

• Total cholesterol
• Low-density lipoprotein is also known as bad cholesterol which is the primary cause of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries
• High-density lipoprotein also known as good cholesterol that helps to keep the cholesterol away from building up in arteries
• Triglycerides is an another form of fat in your blood

How can you keep the cholesterol under control?

Lifestyle changes play a major role in your cholesterol level. Keeping cholesterol under control can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. But it can be achieved only by knowing what cholesterol is and how it affects your health.

You can keep your cholesterol under control by developing the following habits:

• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Schedule a screening
• Eat foods which contains less unsaturated fat and low in cholesterol
• Seek the advice of your health care professional.

You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You may also need to take medicine to lower your cholesterol.

What is the normal level of cholesterol to be present in the blood?

Normal level of cholesterol in the blood should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dl. High range of cholesterol level in the blood is 240 mg/dl or more. High cholesterol level in the blood increases the risk of heart attack; stroke, coronary artery disease etc where as low levels of cholesterol indicate hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland, inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines, liver disease and malnutrition.