When you have high cholesterol, the first thing to do is to change your diet and fitness: less saturated fat, no trans fat, and more activity. If that doesn't bring down your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol enough, your doctor may suggest that you also take medicine to help out. read more
High blood sugar and type 2 diabetes may also be more likely with statins, although the risk is “small” and the benefits outweigh the risks, according to the FDA. Statins drugs may also interact with other medications you take. read more
If you decide to take cholesterol medication, your doctor may recommend periodic liver function tests to monitor the medication's effect on your liver. Remember the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. Medication can help control your cholesterol — but lifestyle matters, too. read more
Statins may also decrease inflammation in arteries, and help raise “good” cholesterol, (high-density lipoprotein or HDL) levels. Our recommendations about who should consider a statin to lower their cardiovascular risks are based on 2016 guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and informed by guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. read more