High Cholesterol and the Risk of Heart Disease
High cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease.
Heart disease is the #1 health problem for both women and men in the United States. And if you have high cholesterol, you may have twice the risk of heart disease.* But, you may not know you have high cholesterol.
People who have high cholesterol often have no symptoms.
Your overall cholesterol is important. But guidelines suggest that you focus on your LDL ("bad" cholesterol) level to manage high cholesterol.
Having high "bad" cholesterol means you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood. LDL is low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries and prevent the blood from getting to your heart. HDL cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. It carries LDL cholesterol away from your artery walls.
When you have high cholesterol, a thick, waxy plaque can build up in your artery walls. As plaque builds up, the artery narrows and becomes less flexible, reducing blood flow. If a blood clot then forms and clogs the artery, you could have a heart attack or stroke.
LIPITOR is FDA approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, certain kinds of heart surgeries, and chest pain in patients with several common risk factors for heart disease, including family history of early heart disease, high blood pressure, age, low HDL ("good" cholesterol), or smoking.
*Total cholesterol levels of greater than 240 mg/dL.
Next: What Is High Cholesterol? >>
LIPITOR is a prescription medicine that is used along with a low-fat diet. It lowers the LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides in your blood. It can raise your HDL ("good" cholesterol) as well. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL, or family history of early heart disease.
LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients with diabetes and risk factors such as diabetic eye or kidney problems, smoking, or high blood pressure.
LIPITOR is not for everyone. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment and may adjust your dose.
Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.
When diet and exercise alone are not enough, adding LIPITOR can help lower cholesterol. LIPITOR is one of many cholesterol-lowering treatment options that you and your doctor can consider.
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