Heart Disease
Cholesterol
Getting control – medication
For some people with high cholesterol, diet and exercise are not enough. Like you, they need to add medicine to their total, ongoing plan.
Cholesterol-reducing medications work in different ways. The two most common ways are:
- Slowing down the body's production of LDL.
- Making the body convert excess cholesterol into useful bile acids that aid digestion.
Remember, medications do not cure high cholesterol the way an antibiotic cures an ear infection; but for most people, they are a key to helping keep cholesterol under control.
What "control" means
Wearing glasses will not change your eyes, but as long as you wear them, you can see just fine — and lead a normal life. Controlling high cholesterol is much the same: as long as you continue treatment, you may be able to keep your cholesterol level where it belongs and get on with an active life.
Control unnecessary risk
It is important to remember that heart disease can be decreased by controlling the conditions that put you at risk:
- Keep your blood pressure where it belongs.
- Keep your cholesterol level where it belongs.
- Maintain the right weight for your body.
- Find an exercise program you enjoy.
- If you smoke, try to quit.
Ask your doctor how you can lower your risks of heart and blood vessel disease.
Tips for remembering your medication
- Use daily events like dinner or bedtime to help you remember to take your medicine, rather than just trying to use the clock.
- Keep your medicine in a safe place, but one where you cannot miss it.
- Keep a spare bottle of medication at your job or in your purse or briefcase (ask your pharmacist for the right kind of bottle for your medication).
- When you have a concern, ask your doctor.
