Side effects of atorvastatin – NHS

Like all medicines, atorvastatin can cause side effects in some people, but not everybody gets them. Different statins affect people in different ways.

Some side effects may improve after the first few days, as your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects

These common side effects of atorvastatin happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Feeling sick (nausea) or indigestion

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your atorvastatin after a meal or snack.

If you continue to get symptoms of indigestion, ask your pharmacist to recommend an antacid. Contact your doctor if your symptoms continue for more than a few days or if they get worse.

Headaches

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It’s best not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.

Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.

Nosebleeds

If you get a nosebleed, sit down and lean forward, with your head tilted forward. Pinch your nose just above your nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes and breathe through your mouth. You could also try holding an icepack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on the top of your nose to help reduce the blood flow.

Sore throat

If you have a sore throat, try gargling with warm, salty water (children should not try this), or ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller to ease any pain or discomfort. Drink plenty of water, eat cool or soft foods, and avoid smoking or smoky places.

If the symptoms last longer than a week ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, blocked nose or sneezing

Make sure you rest, keep yourself warm and drink plenty of fluids. Your pharmacist can recommend a suitable cold medicine and a decongestant spray or tablets to help relieve a blocked nose.

Constipation or farting (flatulence)

Try to eat smaller meals, eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Drinking peppermint tea can be helpful for farting. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run.

If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Diarrhoea

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take contraceptive pills and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If this advice does not help and any of these side effects continue or bother you, keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Stop taking atorvastatin and contact 111 or call your doctor if:

• you get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps – these can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage
• the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin, or if you have pale poo and dark pee – these can be signs of liver problems
• you get a skin rash with pink or red blotches, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet – this could be a sign of erythema multiforme
• you have severe stomach pain – this can be a sign of acute pancreatitis
• you have a cough, feel short of breath, and are losing weight – this can be a sign of lung disease

Go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.

Drinking a lot of alcohol regularly increases the chance of you having side effects with atorvastatin, and liver problems.

If you think that atorvastatin is causing side effects and they’re making you want to stop taking it, talk to your doctor first. They may be caused by another problem and not the medicine. Your doctor may suggest lowering your dose or changing your medicine.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to atorvastatin.

Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of atorvastatin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Information:

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information.

Page last reviewed: 7 March 2022

Next review due: 7 March 2025

Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

1. Atorvastatin oral tablet is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Lipitor.
2. Atorvastatin only comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth.
3. Atorvastatin oral tablet is used to improve cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

• Muscle problems warning: Your risk for myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness) and rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is increased while taking atorvastatin. The risk is greater if you’re a senior, have thyroid problems, or have kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have unexplained muscle soreness, pain, or weakness.
• Liver problems warning: Lab tests for your liver may be abnormally high while you’re taking atorvastatin and you may have liver problems. Your doctor will monitor this while you’re taking this drug.
• Increased blood sugars warning: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. You and your doctor should monitor your blood sugar levels carefully while you’re taking this drug.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s available as a brand-name drug called Lipitor. It’s also available in a generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Atorvastatin is used to improve cholesterol levels in people with different types of cholesterol problems. It’s also used to decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Atorvastatin helps to prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Clogged arteries can block blood flow to your heart and brain.

Atorvastatin may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. These may include bile acid resins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

How it works

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Atorvastatin improves your body’s ability to get rid of LDL cholesterol through your liver.

Atorvastatin oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with the use of atorvastatin oral tablets include:

• cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing
• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• urinary tract infection (UTI)

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
  • unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
  • tiredness
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • tiredness or weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • upper stomach pain
  • dark urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• Allergic reaction.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Atorvastatin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with atorvastatin are listed below.

Antibiotics

Taking atorvastatin with certain antibiotics increases your risk for muscle problems. Examples of these drugs include:

• clarithromycin
• erythromycin

Fungal drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat fungal infections may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include:

• itraconazole
• ketoconazole

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Taking atorvastatin with other cholesterol-lowering drugs raises your risk for muscle problems. Your doctor may change your dosage of these medications or have you avoid taking them together. Examples of these drugs include:

• gemfibrozil
• medications that contain fibrate
• niacin

Rifampin

Taking rifampin with atorvastatin may lower the amount of atorvastatin in your body. This means that the atorvastatin may not work as well.

HIV drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat HIV may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

• darunavir
• fosamprenavir
• lopinavir
• ritonavir
• saquinavir
• tipranavir

Digoxin

Taking digoxin with atorvastatin can increase the amount of digoxin in your blood to dangerous levels. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will monitor these levels and adjust your medication doses if needed.

Oral birth control pills

Taking atorvastatin with oral birth control pills may increase the levels of oral contraceptive hormones in your blood.

Colchicine

Taking colchicine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown.

Cyclosporine

Taking cyclosporine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Your doctor should avoid this combination.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Atorvastatin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Food interactions warning

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. Drinking grapefruit juice can lead to a buildup of atorvastatin in your blood, which raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Ask your doctor how much grapefruit juice is safe for you.

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk for liver disease from atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney problems: Having kidney problems raises your risk for muscle breakdown while taking atorvastatin. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for muscle problems.

For people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take this drug if you have liver disease, as this medication can increase your liver test results. This means that you may have liver damage. If you have liver problems, talk with your doctor to make sure this drug is safe for you.

For people with diabetes: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may adjust your diabetes medications if this happens, and you may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more often than usual while you’re taking this drug.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Atorvastatin should never be used during pregnancy. Safety in pregnant women is unknown and there’s no apparent benefit of this drug during pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Atorvastatin should not be used during breastfeeding. If you breastfeed your child, talk to your doctor about what medication could be right for you.

For seniors: People over the age of 65 years have a higher risk for muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) while taking atorvastatin.

For children: Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years. This drug has been shown to be safe and effective in children 10–17 years of age.

This dosage information is for atorvastatin oral tablets. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: Atorvastatin

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Brand: Lipitor

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Dosage for prevention of heart disease

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been approved for use in children younger than 18 years for the prevention of heart disease.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for dyslipidemia (cholesterol problems)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.
• Note: When treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the dosage is 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

In children, atorvastatin is only used to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

• Typical starting dosage: 10 mg once per day.
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied in children younger than 10 years of age for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in this age range for this purpose.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: While eating a healthy diet can sometimes improve your cholesterol levels, atorvastatin can help them even more. If you don’t take atorvastatin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. This may raise your risk for heart attack or stroke.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
• loss of appetite
• upper stomach pain
• dark-colored urine
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You won’t be able to feel atorvastatin working. Your doctor will measure your cholesterol levels to see how well atorvastatin is working for you. Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your cholesterol levels.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes atorvastatin oral tablet for you.

General

• Don’t cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store atorvastatin at room temperature between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Keep it away from high temperatures.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

While you’re being treated with atorvastatin, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels and liver function. This will be done through blood tests.

Your diet

Your doctor may have you follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet while you take this drug.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

What helps, side effects, composition

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. A SPECIALIST’S CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED. For the heart and blood vesselsCholesterol

The author of the article

Sumenkova Anna Mikhailovna, pharmacist

All authors

The content of the article

• Atorva statin: composition
• Atorvastatin: before or after meals
• Atorvastatin: side effects
• Rosuvastatin or Atorvastatin: which is better
• Liprimar or Atorvastatin: which is better
• Atorvastatin or Atoris: which is better
• Summary
• Ask an expert on the topic of the article vascular diseases. Few people know that one of the main factors in the development of heart and vascular diseases is an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood. To avoid the risk of violations, a special group of drugs is used – statins. One of these drugs will be discussed in the article.

  Anna Sumenkova, a pharmacist, will talk about Atorvastatin: introduce its composition, rules of administration, side effects, and compare it with analogues.

  Atorvastatin: Composition

  Atorvastatin tablets based on the active ingredient of the same name in dosages of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg. The drug is produced by many manufacturers, as well as as part of complex preparations, so it is impossible to derive a single composition of auxiliary agents. The drug can be found under trade names:

  • Atoris
  • Vasator
  • Liprimar
  • Tulip

  The pharmacist says: “Atorvastatin is usually prescribed by general practitioners and cardiologists as part of the complex treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, when they come to the pharmacy to buy prescribed drugs, people ask a logical question: what do Atorvastatin tablets help with.

  Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering agent. In other words, the drug reduces the content of “bad” cholesterol in the blood. Due to this, it is used to treat hypercholesterolemia and reduce the risk of complications of heart and vascular diseases. For example, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

  Atorvastatin before or after meals

  Atorvastatin tablets are taken by mouth regardless of food intake. It is important to note that before and during the use of the drug, it is recommended to follow a diet: minimize fat intake and completely abandon butter and palm oil.

  If you ask about the compatibility of Atorvastatin and alcohol, then the answer will be ambiguous. The intake of alcoholic beverages is not contraindicated when using the drug. However, abuse of Atorvastatin is not recommended, as active liver disease and elevated liver enzymes are on the list of contraindications. Therefore, it is important to be careful when taking medication and alcohol-containing drinks together.

  Atorvastatin: side effects

  • Nasopharyngitis – inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and pharynx
  • Allergic reactions: urticaria, pruritus
  • Increase or decrease in blood glucose
  • Headache
  • The appearance of a “veil” before the eyes
  • Tinnitus
  • Sore throat and epistaxis
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Inflammation of the liver
  • Pain in muscles, joints and limbs
  • Increased liver enzymes

  Rosuvastatin or Atorvastatin: which is better

  Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin belong to the same group of drugs – statins, but they belong to different generations. Atorvastatin is an earlier drug belonging to the third generation of drugs, while Rosuvastatin is the fourth – more modern. Therefore, the activity of Rosuvastatin against “bad” cholesterol is higher. So, Rosuvastatin is effective in doses from 5 mg to 40 mg, and Atorvastatin from 10 mg to 80 mg.

  Rosuvastatin also causes fewer side effects. However, its cost is higher. Only a doctor can replace Atorvastatin with Rosuvastatin.

  All products Rosuvastatin

  20 reviews

  Liprimar or Atorvastatin: which is better

  Liprimar is an original American drug, the active ingredient of which is Atorvastatin. Other Atorvastatin preparations have been replicated based on Liprimar’s evidence base.

  The drugs are similar: they have identical indications for use, dosages, contraindications, and are well tolerated by the body. Substituting one drug for another can be done at the pharmacy based on personal preference and affordability.

  All products Liprimar

  8 reviews

  Atorvastatin or Atoris: which is better

  Atoris is another drug with Atorvastatin as the active substance. Produced in Slovenia in dosages of 10 and 20 mg. The situation is similar with Liprimar: the drugs are similar in all therapeutic parameters.

  Atoris disadvantage: no 40mg dosage, causing patients requiring higher dosages to take more tablets. For example, if you need the highest dose of 80 mg, you will have to drink 8 tablets of 10 mg or 4 tablets of 20 mg.

  All products Atorvastatin

  22 reviews

  All products Atoris

  20 reviews

  Summary

  • Atorvastatin – tablets based on the same active ingredient in dosages of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg.
  • Atorvastatin reduces the content of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.
  • Atorvastatin tablets are taken by mouth regardless of food intake.
  • Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin belong to the same group of drugs – statins, but to different generations.
  • The activity of Rosuvastatin against “bad” cholesterol is higher.
  • Liprimar is an original American drug, the active ingredient of which is Atorvastatin.
  • Atoris is another drug with Atorvastatin as the active ingredient.

  Ask an expert about the topic of the article

  Still have questions? Ask them in the comments below and our experts will answer you. There you can also share your experience with other readers of Megasovets.

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  How to normalize high cholesterol levels without drugs?

  Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all body cells. The body needs cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest food. However, excessive accumulation of cholesterol in the blood, in other words high cholesterol can lead to serious illness. We talk more about this in the article.

  ---

  Cholesterol is divided mainly into such types as LDL and HDL. Both are lipoproteins, which are compounds made up of fat and protein. They are responsible for carrying cholesterol into the blood throughout the body.

  LDL is low density lipoprotein, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol lead to plaque buildup on the walls of arteries.

  High LDL cholesterol can cause two separate and equally serious problems. First, it can constrict blood vessels, disrupting the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Secondly, lead to the formation of blood clots, which can break out and block blood flow, causing a heart attack or stroke.

  HDL is high density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol. It carries “bad” cholesterol back to the liver, where it is broken down and excreted from the body.

  VLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. This type is also called “bad” cholesterol because it also contributes to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. But VLDL mostly tolerate not cholesterol, but high levels of triglycerides.

  Causes of high cholesterol

  Normally, high-density cholesterol should be much more than low. The cause of high cholesterol levels can be a genetic predisposition, but most often it is an unhealthy lifestyle.

  Causes of high cholesterol include:

  • Unhealthy diet: Eating a lot of unhealthy fats. One type, saturated fat, is found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods. Another type, trans fats, is found in some fried and processed foods. Eating saturated fats and trans fats is the cause of high blood cholesterol levels.
  • Lack of physical activity . Lack of sports, a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, all this reduces the level of HDL (good) cholesterol.
  • Smoking . Reduces HDL cholesterol levels, especially in women, which is why high (bad) cholesterol appears.
  • Age. The risk of high cholesterol increases with age.
  • Weight . Causes of high blood cholesterol may be associated with excess weight.

  High cholesterol symptoms

  High cholesterol usually causes no symptoms. In most cases, they are caused only by complications (cardiovascular disease). The most common symptoms of high blood cholesterol associated with cardiovascular disease include:

  • angina pectoris, chest pain;
  • nausea;
  • extreme fatigue;
  • erratic breathing;
  • pain in the neck, jaw, upper abdomen or back;
  • numbness or coldness in the limbs;
  • sudden loss of balance and coordination;
  • dizziness;
  • confusion;
  • blurred vision or double vision;
  • sudden severe headache.

  Important! If you have any of the above signs of high cholesterol, be sure to consult your doctor. A blood test is the only way to tell if you have it.

  Cholesterol test

  To determine the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood (diagnosis of high cholesterol), a blood lipid profile is taken.

  Lipidogram includes the determination of the following components:

  • Lipoproteins – play the role of cholesterol carriers in the body:

  low density (“bad” cholesterol) – settle on the walls of blood vessels. They should be as few as possible – less than 100 mg / dl;

  high density (“good” cholesterol) – transports cholesterol to liver cells for processing. Their number should, on the contrary, be greater, high HDL cholesterol – 60 mg / dl or higher.

  • Triglycerides – This type of fat is normally stored in fat cells throughout the body. Their high level in the blood is the cause of cardiovascular disease. Our body needs to have as few of them as possible – less than 150 mg / dl.
  • Total cholesterol is the total amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood. This indicator tends to increase with age. But in people who eat a healthy diet, this trend is not observed.

  What level of cholesterol in the blood is considered high?

  Total cholesterol is generally considered “borderline high” if it is between 200 and 239 mg/dL; “high” if it exceeds 240 mg/dl.

  Very high LDL cholesterol – 130 to 159mg / dl. What level of LDL cholesterol is considered high? – if it exceeds 160 mg/dl.

  The level of HDL cholesterol, which should have a high level of good cholesterol, is considered “low” if it is below 40 mg / dl.

  The dangers of high blood cholesterol

  High cholesterol can cause a dangerous buildup of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis). These deposits (plaques) can reduce blood flow through the arteries. Why is high blood cholesterol dangerous for a person? High cholesterol levels can cause effects such as:

  • Ischemic disease. If the arteries that supply the heart with blood (coronary arteries) are affected, a person may experience chest pain (angina) and other symptoms of coronary heart disease.
  • Heart attack. Why is high cholesterol dangerous? If plaques rupture, a blood clot can form at the site of the rupture, blocking blood flow or blocking a downstream artery. If blood flow to part of the heart stops, the person will have a heart attack.
  • Stroke. Similar to a heart attack, a stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain.
  • Peripheral arterial disease. In PAD, fatty deposits accumulate along the walls of the arteries and affect circulation, mainly in the arteries leading to the legs and feet. The arteries of the kidneys may also be affected.
  • Diabetes mellitus type 2. Why is high cholesterol in the blood dangerous for the body? Even if blood sugar control is good, people with diabetes tend to have high triglycerides, low HDL levels, and sometimes high LDL levels, which increases the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) . Why is high blood cholesterol dangerous? When the arteries harden and narrow, the heart has to work much harder to pump blood through them. As a result, blood pressure becomes abnormally high.

  High Cholesterol Diet

  The best diet for atherosclerosis is a plant-based diet. But this does not mean that you should completely give up meat. By adding whole grains to your diet, you reduce the risk of clogged arteries due to atherosclerosis by 30%.

  High Cholesterol Diet Guidelines:

  1. Add one serving of vegetables and/or fruits to every meal (choose colorful dark greens, orange oranges, orange persimmons, blue grapes, various berries, etc. for more appetite).
  2. Replace conventional cereals, breads with whole grains (instead of white rice – brown or wild, instead of white bread – sprouted grain bread, instead of breakfast cereals – oats).
  3. Add more legumes to your food (peas, beans, lentils not only have a pleasant taste, they also perfectly bind cholesterol in the digestive tract).
  4. Include nuts, seeds, oily fish (such as salmon), omega-3 supplements (which can reduce blood triglycerides by 30%), avocados, and olive oil. These foods contain healthy (unsaturated) fats that lower bad cholesterol levels.
  5. Reduce the amount of sugar consumed per day (sugar is a source of other equally harmful fats – triglycerides; less sugar – less harmful fats).

  Tips for lowering high cholesterol

  The sooner you start lowering your cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart disease.

  Cholesterol levels are treated with statins and other lipid-lowering drugs. Along with their effectiveness, these drugs have a number of side effects, such as memory impairment, decreased concentration, decreased exercise tolerance, muscle pain and depression.

  While these drugs are necessary to correct high cholesterol levels, dietary adjustments, appropriate exercise, and a few other things can be a powerful adjunct to drug treatment and, in some cases, an alternative.

  Doctors recommend that if your “bad” cholesterol (LDL) is between 75-80mg/dl and you don’t have underlying heart disease, diabetes, etc., you may be limited to natural ways to control it. If the amount of LDL exceeds 80 mg / dl, it is necessary to connect drug treatment to a diet and a healthy lifestyle.

  If you are wondering: “I have high cholesterol, what should I do?” – we have an answer to it.

  Stick to a diet

  What can not be eaten with high cholesterol? If you have high cholesterol, you should exclude the following foods from your diet (high cholesterol):

  • trans fats : pastries, cookies, crackers and some types of margarine, popcorn, candy, doughnuts, fast food;
  • salt: Foods containing too much sodium can increase bad cholesterol and blood pressure;
  • sugar: too much sugar can cause problems with weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and cholesterol;
  • dairy products: milk, butter, full-fat yogurt and cheese are high in saturated fat;
  • red meat: pork, beef, etc. tend to be high in saturated fat and cholesterol;
  • processed meats: bacon, sausage, sausages; it is necessary to limit the amount of processed meat in general due to the high sodium content and low nutrient content;
  • fried foods: french fries, fried chicken with skin, and other deep fried foods are high in saturated fat and cholesterol from the oil in which they are cooked.

  Control your food intake

  How to reduce high cholesterol? People with high cholesterol levels and those at high risk for or suffering from cardiovascular disease are advised to limit dietary cholesterol to no more than 300 mg per day.

  Keep an active lifestyle

  Cardio training is the most effective for atherosclerosis. They help lower high blood cholesterol, total body fat and triglycerides, and are a great stress reliever.

  If you can’t train in the gym, do something! Even a 20-minute walk after a meal can help lower triglyceride levels.

  Try not to work overtime, lead an active lifestyle, spend time walking, walking, running. Alternate more intense and less intense workouts.

  Watch your weight

  Why is high cholesterol linked to weight? Being overweight and obese can lead to negative consequences, such as blockage of blood vessels, the risk of heart attack and stroke, diabetes, and other conditions.

  It’s no secret that when the total amount of fat deposits in the body decreases, the level of “bad” cholesterol also decreases. Therefore, any doctor will recommend that you lose a few pounds.

  1. Eat less fatty, fried, salty and sweet foods.
  2. If you drink sugary drinks, switch to water.
  3. Include small snacks in your daily diet – fruits, nuts. Avoid cookies, popcorn, and other unhealthy snacks.
  4. If you’re craving something sweet, try low-fat or no-fat sweets like marmalade.
  5. Look for ways to incorporate more activity into your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking more.