LOWERING HIGH CHOLESTEROL – Part 6

High Cholesterol Drug Treatment Indications

There are cases where lowering-cholesterol drugs are needed. They may be used in combination with other TLC treatments to help lower your LDL. The higher your risk for heart disease, the lower your LDL goal will be. Your doctor will set your LDL goal. Using the following Risk Category Guide, you and your doctor can develop a possible plan for your high blood cholesterol treatment.

Risk Category Guide

RISK CATEGORY I, highest risk, your LDL Goal is less than 100 mg/dL

• If your LDL 100 mg/dL or above, you will need to begin the TLC Diet together with cholesterol treatment drugs 
• Even if your LDL is below 100 mg/dL, you should follow the TLC Diet on your own to keep your LDL as low as possible

RISK CATEGORY II, next highest risk, your LDL Goal is less than 130 mg/dL

• If your LDL is 130 mg/dL or above, you need to begin the TLC Diet
• If you LDL is 130 mg/dL or more after 3 months on TLC Diet, you may need cholesterol treatment drugs along with the TLC Diet
• If your LDL is less than 130 mg/dL, you will need to follow the Hearth Healthy Diet

RISK CATEGORY III, noderate risk, your LDL goal is less than 130 mg/dL

• If your LDL is 130 mg/dL or above, you will need to begin treatment with the TLC Diet
• If your LDL is 160 mg/dL or more after you have tried the TLC Diet for 3 months, you may need cholesterol treatment drugs along with the TLC Diet
• If your LDL is less than 130 mg/dL, you will need to follow the Heart Healthy Diet

RISK CATEGORY IV, low to moderate risk, your LDL Goal is less than 160 mg/dL

• If your LDL is 160 mg/dL or above, you will need to begin the TLC Diet
• If your LDL is still 160 mg/dL or more after 3 months on TLC Diet, you may need cholesterol treatment drugs along with the TLC Diet
• If your LDL is less than 160 mg/dL, you will need to follow the heart healthy diet

The above scheme will give you a clear picture whether you need a lowering cholesterol medical prescription or not. What are the medicines that your doctor may prescribe for you?

This will be discussed in the next article