Are you also hesitant about taking cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins)? Let's talk about this.

The doctor has prescribed you a medication to lower your cholesterol, but you are a little hesitant about it, aren't you? You may be thinking, 'My cholesterol level is not that bad', 'I can control my diet and exercise and reduce it'. Or you may be a little reluctant to take another medication every day. These are common thoughts. But remember, high cholesterol levels directly affect the risk of heart attack and stroke . Therefore, it is not a good idea to make rash decisions about this. It is very important to find answers to the questions you have in mind before starting a statin drug.

Can cholesterol be controlled through exercise and diet alone?

Of course, there's no doubt that a healthy lifestyle can lower cholesterol. In fact, it's the cornerstone of any treatment. But the question is, depending on your cholesterol level, can lifestyle changes alone reduce it enough?

Simply put:

• A heart-healthy diet can reduce your body's bad cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol , by about 10%.
• If you lose 5% to 10% of your body weight , you can reduce LDL cholesterol by 15% and triglycerides, another type of fat, by 20%.
• By exercising for at least 2 1/2 hours a week , at a moderate intensity, enough to hold a conversation with a friend (but not enough to sing), you can reduce triglyceride levels by 20% to 30%. Exercise can also increase levels of good HDL cholesterol .

These are really good results. However, if your cholesterol levels are very high or you have other risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may also recommend taking a statin drug along with these lifestyle changes. Sometimes it can be difficult to bring your cholesterol levels down to a safe level through lifestyle changes alone.

What really happens with statins?

"Statins are a class of drugs that only need to be taken once a day, but they have very strong effects," say experts. The main differences between these are:

• Reduces LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), the "bad" cholesterol, by 50% or more .
• Increases HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), the "good" cholesterol, by up to 15% .

You can see a big difference in your cholesterol levels within two to four weeks of starting the medication.

So, after taking this medicine, can you sit on the sofa and eat whatever you want? Absolutely not! Doctors say that the best way to protect your heart is to use a statin while following a healthy lifestyle . The protection provided by these two is very high.

Are there any side effects to this medication?

Like any medicine, statins can cause side effects in some people. However, they do not affect everyone. Serious side effects are rare.

Some studies have found that taking a supplement called Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help some people with muscle pain while taking statins. However, you should not take supplements like CoQ10 on your own without talking to your doctor.

Overall, experts say the risks of taking a statin are lower than taking two aspirin a day. "Their benefits have been well-established in clinical trials involving hundreds of thousands of people," they say.

Questions to ask your doctor

Don't be afraid to discuss any questions you have with your doctor. It's important to have a good understanding of your treatment. You can ask these questions the next time you see your doctor.

• Why does the doctor think I need a statin?
• What benefits will this medicine give me?
• Given my health condition, what are the benefits and risks of taking this?
• Could this conflict with other medications or supplements I'm taking?
• How will I know if this medicine is working? How long will it take?
• Can I take a nutritional supplement to lower cholesterol instead of (or in addition to) a statin?
• What can be done if side effects occur?

As one doctor said, "I tell my patients that we should look at statins like a vitamin that we take every day to protect our health. That's exactly what it is. There is nothing more effective at lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease."