When your cholesterol level is high, or maybe you happen to be in danger of heart related illnesses, your doctor may perscribe a medicine to lower your cholesterol. There are many kinds of medications available, each kind with a different action.

Statins – These are the most often prescribed medication utilized to reduce cholesterol. Those who may have a chance of developing what is known as plaque inside the arteries, are often given this. The way it works is it inhibits the production of cholesterol by limiting the enzyme which is used by the liver to make it. This not merely shrinks the plaque that\’s already accumulating, it also slows the growth. This lowers the likelihood that the plaque could loosen up and come free from the arteries, which could cause a stroke or a cardiac event. Some risks for artherosclerosis are:

High cholesterol levels;

Diabetes;

A family history of early-age heart attack or cardiovascular illnesses;

Advancing age.

There are many statins that are commonly perscribed. These medications have several differences, including their cholesterol-blocking ability, their side-effects, the way they connect with other drugs, and their ability to reduce heart attack and stroke. Some common statins which are frequently perscribed include:

Atorvastatin (Lipitor);

Rosuvastatin (Crestor);

Fluvastatin (Lescol);

Simvastatin (Zocor);

Lovastatin (Mevacor);

Pravastatin (Pravachol).

Most side-effects of the statins are mild, like vomiting and nausea, but one major side-effect that\’s rare, is rhabdomyolysis, which could cause muscle damage and in the end kidney failure. Any muscle or pain experienced while taking a statin should be reported immediately to your doctor.

Resins – Resins are another cholesterol-lowering medication. They bind with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestines and tend to be then excreted. Resins actually reduce LDL cholesterol and are generally often perscribed with statins for a combined effect of lowered LDL cholesterol. Currently perscribed resins include:

Cholestyramine (Questran);

Colestipol (Colestid);

Colesevelam (WelChol).

Resins have few side-effects (gas, bloating, nausea and constipation); however, they might interfer with the absorption of other medications taken at the same time.

Resins have few side-effects (gas, bloating, nausea and constipation); however, they might interfer with the absorption of other medications taken at the same time.

Niacin;

Niacor;

Slo-Niacin.

Nicotinic acid interacts with medications, including hypertension medication, and your doctor should be consulted.

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) — Gemfibrozil reduces triglycerides and increases HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol, in the blood. It interacts with medications, such as Coumidin, that could lead to increased bleeding, and glyburide, which might cause low blood glucose. Probably the most serious, but rare, side-effect is rabdomyolysis, that could cause kidney failure. Your personal doctor needs to be consulted and also your current medications discussed before starting therapy on gemfibrozil.

Clofibrate (Atromid-S) — Clofibrate also acts by reducing Cholesterol levels levels; however, because of its many side-effects, it is usually perscribed only when all other strategies of reducing cholesterol are ineffective. All current medications, including over-the-counter drugs, need to be discussed together with your doctor before using clofibrate.

Ursodiol (Actigall, Urso) – Ursodiol is created by the liver and cuts down on the output of cholesterol by the liver and absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Side-effects are GI related, including nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation; and rash and lumbar pain. Other medications may interfer with its function, reducing its usefulness.

There are many more medications, including supplements and over-the-counter medications that can help in reducing levels of cholesterol. Before thinking about medications, discuss them with your personal doctor and allow your doctor know what medications you\’re taking already, to decide which may be best for you.

If you have reason to become concerned about your blood pressure, you should begin monitoring it yourself at home. High blood pressure or hypertension is known as \’The Silent Killer\’ because you cannot know whether you have it unless you measure it. You cannot guess or just feel it. First of all, you ought to talk to your GP and he will give you some numbers, then you can buy a blood pressure monitor and keep an eye on your situation.

When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your physician or your machine, you will be given two figures, say 120/80.

The first figure is your systolic blood pressure. The systolic pressure is when your heart \’beats\’ or contracts, pumping your blood around you body.

The second number is when your heart expands, sucking blood back into itself. This is the diastolic blood pressure. These numbers are of the blood pressure in your arteries.

There are four categories that your blood pressure readings can fall into. The first is normal and it is by and large accepted that that means readings below 120/80. These figures relate to a healthy person but can be gained by almost anyone by keeping a healthy active lifestyle.

The second stage is known as \’Prehypertension\’ and relates to blood pressures between \’normal\’ and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you ought to be doing something to reduce your blood pressure. This could mean: a modification of diet; drinking less alcohol, tea or coffee; losing weight; taking more exercise; smoking less or giving up smoking altogether.

The third stage is known as \’Hypertension Stage One\’ and is reflected by numbers between prehypertension and 160/100. If you get into this stage then you really have to see your doctor and he will advocate serious changes to your lifestyle along the lines suggested above or / and he will put you on tablets.

The fourth stage is called \’Hypertension Stage Two\’ and is anything above 160/100. This is fairly dangerous and your GP will want to get you to make radical alterations to your lifestyle and / or take medication which could be for the rest of your life. If you reach this stage go to your GP\’s as soon as you can.

Whilst you are discussing your blood pressure with your doctor, be sure you tell him about any other medication you are taking, because some medication will raise blood pressure as well. Examples of medication that can raise your blood pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough treatments.

There are other things that can have an effect on blood pressure too. lack of sleep is one. Do you have a new-born baby, a sick child, money problems, sleep apnoea or a snoring spouse that inhibit you from sleeping in the correct manner?

Fear, anger and anxiety are also reasons for high blood pressure. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your doctor prescribe medication to reduce your blood pressure, make certain he is aware of all your conditions.