New Medicine Approved to Help Better Manage Cholesterol

(ARA) - For years doctors have spoken about the importance of lowering cholesterol. But focusing on LDL or bad cholesterol may just be one piece of the cholesterol puzzle.

There are three lipids that make up total cholesterol and all three are important to manage. HDL, known as good cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood should be managed along with LDL to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

According to the American Heart Association:

* LDL levels are considered optimal when they are below 100 mg/dL

* HDL levels should be 40 mg/dL or above for men and 50 mg/dL or above for women

* Triglycerides levels of 150 mg/dL and above are considered to be elevated

Maintaining a healthy diet can help keep lipid levels within an optimal range but sometimes medication may be necessary.

Abbott's TRILIPIX (fenofibric acid) delayed-release capsules was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat three key lipids -- HDL, triglycerides and LDL. TRILIPIX is also the first medication in the fibrate class to be approved for use in combination with the popular cholesterol medications called statins in people. This combination, along with diet and exercise, helps provide for comprehensive cholesterol management in people. TRILIPIX has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attack.

"It's important that all three lipids -- LDL, HDL and triglycerides are properly managed," says Michael Davidson, M.D. of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. "Even if patients are able to lower LDL with good nutrition, exercise and medications, they may require further treatment if the other lipid levels are not at goal," says Davidson.

Ask your physician to check all three lipid levels, even if you are already taking a medication to manage your cholesterol. Learn what your numbers should be and if all three lipid levels are not within the recommended range, talk to your doctor about an appropriate treatment plan for you.

Keeping a healthy diet and exercising are also central components to cholesterol management. The American Heart Association recommends exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight to help manage your cholesterol.

Courtesy of ARAcontent