High cholesterol is a significant concern for many residents in Orlando and across the country. As one of the most common and manageable risk factors for heart disease, understanding how to control cholesterol levels is vital for long-term health. With heart disease ranking as a leading cause of death in Florida, the right treatment can make a life-changing difference. In this blog post, we’ll explore the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol, how they work, and what Orlando locals should know about managing this condition.
Understanding High Cholesterol and Its Impact in Orlando
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood. While your body needs some cholesterol to function, having too much—especially the “bad” LDL cholesterol—can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries. Over time, this buildup increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the Florida Department of Health, thousands of Orlando residents are diagnosed with high cholesterol each year, often discovered during routine health screenings.
The good news is that high cholesterol is highly manageable. Along with diet and lifestyle changes, medications remain a cornerstone of treatment. Let’s break down the most common types prescribed by Orlando physicians and what you need to know about each.
Statins: The Most Common Cholesterol-Lowering Medication
Statins are the first-line treatment for high cholesterol, both in Orlando and nationwide. Drugs like atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor) work by blocking a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol. This leads to a significant drop in LDL (bad) cholesterol and a modest rise in HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Statins reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart-related problems.
- They are usually taken once daily.
- Common side effects include muscle pain, digestive problems, and, rarely, liver enzyme changes.
Many Orlando doctors recommend statins for patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, especially those with diabetes or a strong family history of heart problems.
Ezetimibe and Combination Medications
For some people, statins alone aren’t enough to control cholesterol. That’s where ezetimibe (Zetia) comes in. Ezetimibe works differently than statins—it blocks the absorption of cholesterol from the food you eat, rather than stopping the body’s cholesterol production.
Doctors in Orlando often prescribe ezetimibe alongside a statin for patients who need extra help lowering their cholesterol. There are also combination pills available, such as Vytorin (simvastatin and ezetimibe), offering convenience and improved results.
- Ezetimibe is generally well-tolerated with few side effects.
- It’s suitable for patients who can’t tolerate high doses of statins.
PCSK9 Inhibitors: A Newer Option for Difficult Cases
For Orlando residents with very high cholesterol—especially those with genetic conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia or those who can’t tolerate statins—PCSK9 inhibitors offer a breakthrough. Medications like alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha) are given as injections every few weeks and can dramatically lower LDL cholesterol levels.
- These drugs work by helping the liver clear more LDL cholesterol from the blood.
- They are usually prescribed for people who haven’t responded well to other treatments.
- PCSK9 inhibitors are more expensive and may require insurance approval.
Many Orlando specialists have begun using PCSK9 inhibitors for patients with heart disease who need powerful cholesterol-lowering tools when traditional options fall short.
Bile Acid Sequestrants, Fibrates, and Niacin: Other Alternatives
Some patients may benefit from alternative medications, especially if statins or PCSK9 inhibitors aren’t suitable. These include:
- Bile Acid Sequestrants (such as cholestyramine and colesevelam): These bind to bile acids in your intestine, forcing your body to use more cholesterol to make new bile acids. They’re often used as an add-on therapy.
- Fibrates (such as gemfibrozil and fenofibrate): These medications primarily lower triglycerides and can modestly increase HDL cholesterol. They’re especially helpful for patients with high triglyceride levels.
- Niacin (vitamin B3): Niacin can lower LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL, but it comes with more side effects and is used less commonly today due to newer, better-tolerated drugs.
Orlando doctors may recommend these medications based on your cholesterol profile, existing health conditions, and personal tolerance.
Living with High Cholesterol in Orlando: What You Can Do
Medication is just one part of managing cholesterol. Many Orlando healthcare providers emphasize the
