Why Doctors Prescribe Cholesterol Drugs

December 17, 2014 Day 1: Why Doctors Prescribe Cholesterol Drugs Facts and Tips about Cholesterol Drugs By Beth Isaac, PharmD You might be wondering why your doctor prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication for you. Or maybe you and your doctor are considering starting treatment with a cholesterol drug because diet and exercise alone have not lowered your cholesterol enough. You are probably wondering why it is so important to start taking cholesterol medications when you don't feel sick. Here are some basic facts about cholesterol and cholesterol-lowering drugs. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs to produce hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help digest fat. It only takes a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it accumulates on the walls of your arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. There are no symptoms of high cholesterol, which is why it is so important for you to take your cholesterol-lowering medication exactly as prescribed. Get the facts about high cholesterol and drugs that can lower it. » Next Newsletter: How Drugs Can Lower Cholesterol