Atorvastatin belongs to a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Atorvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).
What are cholesterol-lowering medications?
Mar 10, 2022 · Statins: The most common and widely prescribed medications to treat high cholesterol are known as statins. The statin medications work by blocking the enzymes in your body that restrict cholesterol uptake. They also have multiple effects throughout the body, including lowering inflammation and stabilizing and even reducing plaques in the arteries.
What are the treatments for high cholesterol?
Doctors widely prescribe a class of medicines called statins, which are proven to be both safe and effective in the treatment of high cholesterol. Statins work by blocking an important enzyme named HMG-CoA reductase that your liver needs to help make LDL (bad) cholesterol.
How do cholesterol medications work?
Apr 08, 2021 · Another class of drugs already available to treat high cholesterol are injectable medications called PCSK9 inhibitors. The two drugs for this are alirocumab and evolocumab. A third promising drug...
Can a doctor prescribe statins for high cholesterol?
Mar 28, 2022 · There are several treatment options for high cholesterol, including other medications and lifestyle changes. Statins Without the help of that enzyme, your body cannot transform the fat you consume ...
Which class of medications is most commonly used to treat high cholesterol?
Statins. What they are: These are usually the first type of drug that doctors prescribe to lower LDL. They also lower triglycerides, which are another type of blood fat, and mildly raise your "good" (HDL) cholesterol.Jun 14, 2021
Are a class of drugs that treat high cholesterol?
Statins are a class of drugs often prescribed by doctors to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. By lowering the levels, they help prevent heart attacks and stroke. Studies show that, in certain people, statins reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death from heart disease by about 25% to 35%.Sep 14, 2020
Which treatments is used to treat high cholesterol?
Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol. They reduce the amount of cholesterol your body makes.
Types of Statins Available
There are several types of statins available. They include:High-intensity statins: 1. atorvastatin (Lipitor) 2. rosuvastatin (Crestor) Moderate-int...
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
If statins are not an option or you suffer from side effects, your doctor can prescribe a different drug to treat high cholesterol. A common altern...
Medications For High Triglycerides
Many people who have high cholesterol also have high triglycerides (a type of fat found in your blood). Some medications can help lower this type o...
High cholesterol affects more than 95 million Americans
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that can be found in every cell of the body. Some cholesterol is produced by your liver, while other cholesterol comes from the food you eat. Cholesterol moves through your bloodstream and is made by the body in order to keep cells healthy.
Why is high cholesterol considered dangerous?
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease—the leading cause of death in America. When cholesterol levels get too high (200-239 mg/dL=borderline high; 240 mg/dL=high), it creates a thick, hard buildup within the walls of the arteries.
What are the major risks?
High cholesterol could lead to blocked blood supply and flow to the heart or the brain. This can eventually result in:
How can I lower my cholesterol?
Your doctor can talk to you about different ways to help lower your cholesterol. Some common suggestions are to:
What is statin medication?
Doctors widely prescribe a class of medicines called statins, which are proven to be both safe and effective in the treatment of high cholesterol. Statins work by blocking an important enzyme named HMG-CoA reductase that your liver needs to help make LDL (bad) cholesterol.
What are the risks of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, and stroke (the fifth most-common cause), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So it’s no wonder that medical researchers have dedicated a great deal of energy to finding new and improved treatment options. We spoke to the experts to get their take on the most exciting breakthroughs in cholesterol treatment research, from historic drug developments to medications that may be just around the corner.
How much does statin reduce LDL?
In fact, at high-intensity doses, statins can reduce LDL (aka “bad”) cholesterol by 50% or more , according to the American College of Cardiology. They prevent cholesterol from forming in the liver and can lower triglycerides as well as raise HDL ...
What is elevated lipoprotein?
“Elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) are an underrecognized risk factor for people who have risk of heart disease ,” explains Dr. Underberg.
Can you take statins with high cholesterol?
In some cases, people with high cholesterol may benefit from taking another medication in combination with their statin for even greater benefit . To this day, statins are still the first-line medication for the treatment of high cholesterol, but new med options are on the horizon—good news for those who are unable to tolerate statins due ...
Is bempedoic acid the same as statins?
Bempedoic acid is a new drug for cholesterol treatment that was approved in 2020, per the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA). It works in a similar fashion to statins, explains Dr. Underberg. However, there are a few key differences—mainly that it’s not as effective as statins at lowering cholesterol. The trade-off comes when you look at side effects.
Does fish oil help with heart disease?
It sounds basic, but it’s true: Plain old fish oil is the next exciting breakthrough that may benefit more people with heart disease. Recent studies are showing that a certain type of fish oil could help lower fats in the blood—namely high triglycerides, which when combined with high “bad” cholesterol or low “good” cholesterol, raise the risk of heart disease.
Is there a cure for high cholesterol?
The experts agree: It’s a hopeful era for cholesterol treatment research, and there are more options than ever for managing high cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease—from medications to lifestyle changes.
What is the best medication for high cholesterol?
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors. If statins are not an option or you experience side effects, your doctor can prescribe a different drug to treat high cholesterol. A common alternative is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor . These drugs prevent your small intestine from properly absorbing the cholesterol you consume.
What are some natural remedies for high cholesterol?
Natural remedies have been shown to have some cholesterol-lowering effects as well. However, they should be in addition to lifestyle changes. Some of these include: 1 garlic 2 oat bran 3 artichoke 4 barley 5 sitostanol 6 beta-sitosterol 7 blond psyllium
Why is too much cholesterol bad for you?
Having too much cholesterol circulating in your arteries is dangerous because it can build up plaque. A buildup of plaque can prevent blood from flowing properly and can increase the risk of a heart attack.
How does PCSK9 work?
Changes in this gene can lower the amount of LDL receptors. PCSK9 drugs work by suppressing the PCSK9 enzyme expressed by the gene.
What is PCSK9 inhibitor?
PCSK9 inhibitors, like statins, are effective in lowering cholesterol. These medications offer an alternative for those who can’t take statins. People have a gene called proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). It determines the number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in the body.
Can you take ezetimibe with statins?
The only one on the market is the drug ezetimibe, available as a generic or as the name-brand Zetia. This drug can be combined with statins to produce faster results. However, many doctors prescribe ezetimibe alone and combine it with a low-fat diet to help reduce cholesterol.
Can triglycerides be lowered?
Some medications can help lower this type of fat directly. Once these levels go down, the total amount of cholesterol is often lowered.
Angiotensin-Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs)
ARNIs are a new drug combination of a neprilysin inhibitor and an ARB.
I f Channel Blocker (or inhibitor)
This drug class reduces the heart rate, similar to another class of drugs called beta blockers.
Diuretics (Also known as water pills)
Causes the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination.
Other medications that might be prescribed
Your doctor may also prescribe other less commonly used drugs depending on your additional health problems. These drugs include:
Know your numbers. And what to do about them
When it comes to cholesterol, it's important to know your numbers. Hyperlipidemia means your blood has too many lipids (or fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides. One type of hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, means you have too much non-HDL cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood.
Saving Lives One Step at a Time
How does being physically active now affect your heart health down the road? With the help of new technology like the Apple Watch and iPhones, researchers are exploring the link and driving innovations that will help us all lead longer, healthier lives.
My Cholesterol Guide
Do you have questions about cholesterol? We have answers. Our FREE cholesterol guide will help you understand and manage your cholesterol, so you can take action and live healthy!
