High Cholesterol Treatments

Treatment

Treatment may include:

Lifestyle Changes

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet . Eat high-fiber food.
Begin a safe exercise program with the advice of your doctor.
If you smoke, quit .
If you are overweight, lose weight .
Drink alcohol in moderation. This means two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women.

Cholesterol-Lowering Medication

If diet and exercise do not work, you may need medication. Examples include:

Cholestyramine (Questran)
Colestipol (Colestid)
Niacin (Niacor)
Statins
- Lovastatin (Mevacor)
- Pravastatin (Pravachol)
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Ezetimibe (Zetia)

Statins are often prescribed for high cholesterol. They have been shown to reduce mortality (death) and heart attacks . Ezetimibe has reduced plaque in arteries. However, it has not been shown to reduce mortality.

Some may have a high risk for coronary artery disease . In this case, combination therapy may be needed to lower LDL.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.