When LDL levels are high, a buildup of fatty substances in arteries may occur, sometimes leading to a heart attack or stroke. However, you can take steps to protect yourself from high LDL levels, including lifestyle strategies or medications.
When you hear the term “good” cholesterol, it refers to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that carries LDL to the liver, which will then break it down for removal. You can boost your HDL levels to help keep your cholesterol levels healthy.
How to lower LDL levels
Eating a balanced diet and getting a good amount of exercise can help to prevent and lower high LDL levels, but sometimes you may need medication. The most common of these medicines are statins, which slow the liver’s cholesterol production and help break down existing LDL.
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Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin, typically combined with a healthy diet, works by reducing the amount of LDL and fat stored in cells (known as triglycerides) and increasing HDL amounts.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves this medication for preventing heart attack, stroke, and angina.
It’s most commonly prescribed if you have a coronary heart disease diagnosis and other conditions, including high cholesterol. It’s also used to reduce the risk of hospital admissions for those who may experience nonfatal heart attacks or strokes.
Rosuvastatin
Like atorvastatin, rosuvastatin reduces the amount of blood cholesterol and is also used to prevent heart disease.
Doctors may also offer you this drug if you have the following:
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- a family history of rheumatoid arthritis
However, the FDA has not commented on prescribing rosuvastatin for these conditions.
Lovastatin
The body makes enzymes (types of protein) to speed up some processes, like making cholesterol. Statins work by blocking a specific enzyme (HMG Co-A reductase) that your body uses to create cholesterol, helping to lower LDL levels. This is how lovastatin and other statins work.
A doctor may also recommend this medication for managing the risk of stroke and heart-related complications during specific surgeries and for strokes not involving the heart. However, this is not yet FDA approved and is therefore considered “off-label” use.
Pravastatin
Pravastatin works the same way as other statins by blocking the enzyme HMG Co-A reductase.
Your doctor may also prescribe this drug off-label to help stop blood vessels in the brain from going into spasms, preventing blood flow. These types of spasms often occur after a specific type of brain hemorrhage.
Simvastatin
Simvastatin also works in the same way as lovastatin and pravastatin, by blocking MHG Co-A reductase. It, like all statins, is also used alongside a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
In some instances, doctors may also prescribe this medication off-label to prevent irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) and negative effects on the heart and blood vessels following sudden heart-related hospitalizations. The use of simvastatin in this way does not yet have FDA approval.
