Palm Beach Cardiologists on Deciding Whether to Take Medications for High Cholesterol

If you have been told that you have high cholesterol, chances are that you were first advised by Palm Beach or Delray Beach cardiologists to try to lower your overall cholesterol levels by changing your diet, stopping smoking, and getting more exercise. If this has not worked, or if you have moderate to high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, very low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, and other risk factors or genetic dispositions for heart disease, your doctor may advise that you take medications to lower your cholesterol levels.

These medications, collectively known as statins, are a proven and effective way of lowering your cholesterol to safer and more acceptable levels. This article seeks to provide the information you need to decide whether they are for you.

What are statins? What do they cost? Are they safe?

First, statins are considered one of the most important advancements in recent years when it comes to extending and saving the lives of people at high risk of heart disease. Twenty years ago if you had a known heart disease and high cholesterol, you sadly had about a 10-year life expectancy. Today, after the invention and widespread use of statins and other cholesterol-control drugs, you have a normal life expectancy. This fact should not be lost sight of when making the decision whether or not to take these drugs.

Next, you are right to be concerned about the possible cost of drugs you might have to take every day for long periods of time, but statins and other cholesterol management drugs are available in many forms, including inexpensive generic versions. As a result, their cost should not be an issue for most people, even if the drugs are not fully covered by their insurance.

Finally, there are some side effects to these drugs – primarily muscle aches and stiffness, tiredness, upset stomach, or headaches – but in almost all cases these symptoms can be managed and eliminated by adjusting the dosage of the drugs. In general, the benefits of statin drugs are so great in the long run that most people feel that they outweigh any temporary discomfort.

What should you discuss with your Palm Beach heart doctor about cholesterol medications?

First, you should tell the doctor about any and all medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medications. The doctor needs to be aware of all of these to select the proper medication and dosage for you, and to avoid any possible negative drug interactions.

If you begin taking these medications, you should also stay closely in touch with your Palm Beach cardiologists for the first few weeks and promptly report any muscle aches, headaches or other symptoms that might occur. It is important that the doctor knows about these possible side effects quickly, so he can deal with them and make the proper adjustments to either the drug choice or its dosage.

Also, if you begin to take these drugs, don't stop other lifestyle changes you have adopted to try to lower your cholesterol. If you've stopped smoking, you definitely don't want to pick it up again. If you've managed to shift to a more heart-healthy diet, keep to it. And if you've adopted a healthier exercise routine, keep to that as well. No pill – no matter how effective – is a substitute for all of these important lifestyle changes when it comes to keeping your heart healthy.

What do I do if I still have more questions about cholesterol medication?

Talk to a good cardiologist about them. Give the best cardiologists in Palm Beach a call at 561-515-0080 and ask us directly. At South Palm Cardiovascular Associates, we're happy to advise you and to answer any questions you might have.

Author Bio: Palm Beach Cardiologists discuss high cholesterol and the decision many face about whether to take medications to lower it or not.

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