Does reducing blood lipids mean reducing cholesterol first?
Reducing cholesterol:
Since lipid-lowering drugs are metabolized in the liver, they can exacerbate liver damage. Therefore, patients with active hepatitis are not suitable for taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Atherosclerosis is a relatively slow process. Temporarily stopping lipid-lowering drugs during a certain period has a negligible negative impact on the long-term effectiveness of treating primary hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, cholesterol and other products of its biosynthetic pathway are essential components for fetal development, including steroid and cell membrane synthesis.
It is worth noting that statin lipid-lowering drugs reduce cholesterol biosynthesis while also reducing other products of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. The use of these drugs during pregnancy may harm the fetus. Therefore, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take cholesterol-lowering drugs, and suspending their use benefits far outweigh the risks.
Whether lipid-lowering drugs and their metabolites are secreted in human milk is currently lacking in research, and there is no sufficient theoretical and evidence-based proof.
Since many drugs are secreted in human milk and lipid-lowering drugs have potential adverse reactions, it is not suitable for breastfeeding women to take lipid-lowering drugs.
It is evident that not all patients with coronary heart disease are suitable for cholesterol-lowering treatment. Patients aged 70 years or older, those with chronic congestive heart failure, dementia, advanced cerebrovascular disease, or active malignant tumors, undertaking lipid-lowering treatment would have significant drawbacks.
Does reducing blood lipids mean reducing cholesterol first?
Yes, for patients with Hyperlipidemia, particularly those with elevated cholesterol, it is generally advisable to first focus on reducing cholesterol levels. This is because cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body, can accumulate in the arteries, leading to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke when levels are too high.
High cholesterol can be managed through a combination of lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication. Lifestyle modifications include adopting a heart-healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco use. These changes can help lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol) and increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol).
If lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient to achieve target cholesterol levels, healthcare providers may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins, which are very effective in reducing LDL cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular events.
In summary, reducing cholesterol levels is a critical initial step in managing high blood lipids, as it directly addresses one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
