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High cholesterol
It’s simple and convenient to pick up your high cholesterol meds from NX Pharmacies
Renew your prescription for high cholesterol medications such as statins.
It is so easy and convenient to manage the prescription drugs you use to treat your high cholesterol with NX Pharmacies.
What is high cholesterol ?
Your body makes cholesterol and uses it to produce sex hormones, build cells, make vitamin D and produce bile. If your body makes too much cholesterol, it can contribute to a build-up of fatty plaques on the walls of large blood vessels (arteries). This is known as atherosclerosis. It stiffens the arteries, and narrows them, making it harder for your body to pump blood and maintain circulation. Atherosclerosis plaques caused by high cholesterol can also contribute to blood clots and inflammation. This increases the risk of coronary artery disease, angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), heart attack and peripheral arterial disease.
You find out your cholesterol level with a blood test. The results of this test will tell you your total level of cholesterol, and also the levels of two types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. The results should also include levels of triglycerides, a type of fat that stores excess energy from your diet.
There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (low density lipoprotein) is the “bad cholesterol”, and HDL (high density lipoprotein) is the “good cholesterol”. LDL contributes to atherosclerosis plaques. But HDL can carry some of the LDL to the liver. Once in the liver, LDL gets broken down.
High triglyceride levels, high LDL and low HDL levels are linked with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
NX Pharmacies can fill your prescription for high cholesterol meds and ship them straight to your home.
What causes high cholesterol ?
A number of factors can cause high cholesterol. Age is one factor, with cholesterol levels commonly starting to rise at age 20.
There is a genetic aspect to your cholesterol level, so if close family members have high cholesterol, it is likely you will, too. There are some inherited conditions, such as hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia that can raise your cholesterol levels.
Inactivity and being overweight can decrease your levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.
Diet affects your levels of HDL and LDL, too. Eating too much saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol levels.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol ?
High cholesterol has no symptoms that you can notice day to day.
Your doctor will do a blood test to find out your cholesterol level during a routine health appointment.
Who should get their cholesterol levels tested?
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society suggests that smokers, men aged over 40 and women aged over 50 or who have been through menopause should get a regular cholesterol test.
It also recommends cholesterol tests if you have certain conditions:
- diabetes
- hypertension
- inflammatory disease
- abdominal obesity
- chronic kidney disease
- people with HIV being treated with HAART
- any lipid disorder
- atherosclerosis
What to do if you think you have high cholesterol
If you are concerned that your lifestyle and diet are increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke, ask your doctor about a health check. You may also be concerned about high cholesterol if you have a family history of early coronary artery disease.
Is high cholesterol an emergency?
High cholesterol in itself is not an emergency. But it is not uncommon for people to only discover that they have high levels of cholesterol when they have a stroke or heart attack. If you think you or someone you are with is having a stroke or heart attack, call 911.
The symptoms of a heart attack are:
- pain or pressure in the chest, belly, neck, jaw or in the arms
- sweating
- nausea and vomiting
- shortness of breath
- light-headedness
- fast heartbeat
- sudden weakness
The symptoms of a stroke come on suddenly. They are:
- numbness or tingling in the face
- vision changes
- trouble speaking
- confusion
- balance problems
- severe headache
Strokes and heart attacks are a life-threatening medical emergency, and the faster you get help, the better the chances of survival.
How does a doctor diagnose high cholesterol ?
Your doctor will take a blood sample and test it to learn more about your cholesterol levels. A cholesterol test measures the level of total cholesterol and also levels of:
- triglycerides
- HDL "good" cholesterol
- LDL "bad" cholesterol
Your doctor will analyze these results and discuss them with you to explain what they mean for you. The results of a cholesterol test will help your doctor assess your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Can I get a home cholesterol testing kit?
There are some commercially available cholesterol testing kits, and cholesterol tests are made available at health fairs. In general it is better to get your cholesterol tested by your doctor. When you get a cholesterol test at the doctor’s office, you can be sure the test is being performed by someone who is trained in taking blood samples, and that they are using equipment and an analysis service that is guaranteed to be accurate. Also, the results of a cholesterol test take a bit of interpreting, and the same numbers can mean different things for different people. When you get your cholesterol results, you will need advice from a doctor about your next steps. This might not be available with a home testing kit or a public cholesterol test.
How will a doctor treat my high cholesterol ?
Your doctor will set a cholesterol goal and give lifestyle advice to help you reach it. Some people need to take some medication to lower their cholesterol levels.
What medication is prescribed to lower cholesterol levels?
The most common medication prescribed to control cholesterol is statins. But some other types of drug may be prescribed, too, including cholesterol absorption inhibitors, resins, PCSK9 inhibitors, fibrates and niacin.
You will not feel different as your cholesterol levels go down and it is important to keep taking your meds even if you think they aren’t doing anything. Your doctor will want to check your cholesterol levels regularly to make sure your meds are working.
Statins for high cholesterol
If your risk of having a stroke or heart attack is high because of your cholesterol levels your doctor is likely to prescribe a type of drug called a statin.
How do statins lower cholesterol?
Statins lower the levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) in your blood by reducing the amount your liver produces. Statins also reduce inflammation around the cholesterol plaques in your arteries. This makes them less likely to cause a blood clot that can lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Some examples of statins are: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin.
How do I take statins?
Statins come in tablet form and you take them once a day. Ask your doctor if you need to take them at a particular time of day – but usually the important thing is to take them at the same time every day.
How long will I have to take statins for?
Many people take statins for the rest of their lives. If you stop taking statins, your blood cholesterol levels will rise again and you will once again be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack or stroke.
Do statins have any side-effects?
Most people find statins do not have many side-effects, but some people experience a few minor problems with statins. If the side-effects of taking your cholesterol medication are unbearable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. There are plenty of different statins to try and they may be able to adjust your prescription to get rid of the side-effects. They can also give advice on managing side-effects.
Other medications prescribed to reduce cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol your doctor may prescribe resins (Cholestyramine, Colestipol or Colesevelam); fibrates (Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil); cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as Ezetimibe; PCSK9 inhibitors like Alirocumab or Evolocumab; or niacin.
How do I get medications for high cholesterol ?
Your doctor will prescribe statins or another drug if you are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease because you have a high level of cholesterol in your blood. A pharmacy will then take your doctor’s prescription and provide you with your anti-cholesterol meds. The pharmacy will help you to organize refills and renewals of your prescription for statins.
In Canada you can depend on NX Pharmacies for your high cholesterol meds. We serve all areas of Canada and can fill your prescription of statins. We can help with renewals and refills. Our discretion is assured, and you can depend on us for statins that are authentic and have been approved by Health Canada.
Even if you’ve been successfully managing your high cholesterol for years, you can still benefit from the support of a doctor or pharmacist. They can check that your cholesterol medications are not interacting with other meds, help with side-effects and advise on small changes you can make to your medication routine that will make the drugs you are taking work better. They can also help if you’re having difficulty with things like remembering to take your statins, or if you are struggling with a hard-to-open container.
If you start to get uncomfortable side-effects from your cholesterol meds, ask for a medicines review. Your pharmacist may also be able to advise on managing side-effects of your statins. Do not stop taking your cholesterol meds without speaking to a healthcare professional.
How to manage high cholesterol with lifestyle changes
Your GP may recommend some lifestyle changes to reduce your cholesterol levels. Ask for support if you need help with implementing any of these lifestyle changes. You can get help and signposting from your doctor. Your pharmacist may also be able to offer help with lifestyle changes, including tobacco cessation.
Attend your medical check-ups
A lower cholesterol level will not make you feel different, and it is not possible to tell whether your cholesterol-lowering regime is working without getting your blood tested. It’s important to attend health appointments so that you and your doctor can check your efforts are having an impact on your cholesterol levels. At these appointments you can ask any questions about your medication and talk about any side-effects you may be experiencing. You can discuss your progress toward your health goals, including your target cholesterol level.
Managing other long-term conditions alongside high cholesterol
People with other long-term conditions such as diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease will need to ensure these conditions are well managed, too. The same lifestyle changes that will bring your cholesterol levels down may also help with other conditions, including asthma and COPD.
Sometimes the meds you take for different conditions can interact with each other. If you are managing several long-term or chronic conditions, ask your pharmacist for a medicines use review. Some pharmacists can adjust your prescription, and they can give advice on medication routines that minimize side-effects. You can ask your pharmacist about any over-the-counter remedies, such as pain relief, or nutritional supplements that you’re taking, too.
Eat a balanced diet keep your cholesterol within healthy limits
If you are trying to lower your cholesterol, take extra care to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Use the Nutrition Facts table on food packages to select items that are low in saturated fats and trans fats. Health Canada has information to help you understand the Nutrition Facts table.
You may have to avoid or restrict your intake of foods like egg yolks, full fat dairy, organ meats and processed meat like sausages and ham as these can raise cholesterol.
To learn more about diets for cardiovascular health and diets suitable for people with high cholesterol, try this article from Heart & Stroke Canada: Eat to Lower your Cholesterol.
Take appropriate exercise to manage high cholesterol
Leading an active life has many wellbeing benefits. It can also help lower cholesterol. An active lifestyle helps with managing stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure and increase cardiovascular risk.
Alongside a healthy diet regular activity can help you lose weight. Two and a half hours of moderate to vigorous exercise every week is a good target to aim for. Heart & Stroke Canada has some ideas for people wanting to lead a more active life.
Keep your weight within healthy limits to manage high cholesterol
Healthy diet and regular exercise will help with weight loss. Keeping your weight within healthy limits will help manage your cholesterol levels. Ask your doctor for advice on weight loss, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Stop tobacco use to alleviate high cholesterol
Stopping nicotine use will help you lower cholesterol. Smoking can reduce your levels of HDL “good” cholesterol. Many people see an improvement in their blood cholesterol levels within weeks of stopping tobacco use. Ask for help if quitting tobacco and nicotine is difficult for you. Your pharmacist can advise on reliable nicotine cessation methods.
- Where can I learn more about reducing high cholesterol?
- Where can I buy authentic Canadian high cholesterol medications?
- What is the best price online for cholesterol-lowering medications?
- Why do my cholesterol pills look different this time?
- How do I set up a new prescription with NX Pharmacies for my cholesterol-lowering medication?
- How can I refill my prescription for cholesterol-lowering drugs with NX Pharmacies?
- How will you ship my cholesterol-lowering meds?
- Do I need a valid prescription to get statins?
Where can I learn more about reducing high cholesterol?
Heart & Stroke Canada has many resources about managing cholesterol to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Health Canada has information about high cholesterol.
Another source of information is the health authority for your province or territory.
Where can I buy authentic Canadian high cholesterol medications?
To be sure you are treating your high cholesterol with genuine, non-counterfeit medications, get a prescription for cholesterol-lowering meds from your GP and then fill it at a licensed pharmacy, such as NX Pharmacies. For more advice on avoiding counterfeit drugs, see The Government of Canada’s information about counterfeit prescription drugs.
Why do my cholesterol pills look different this time?
Different pharmaceutical companies sell the same medication in different formats – for example, a different type of packaging, or a different colour of tablet. But the generic name of the drug will always appear somewhere on the packaging, even if the brand-name is different, and this should match the generic name on your prescription.
The different versions of the same drug are stringently tested to ensure they are bioequivalent, so you should be getting the same dose each time even if your pills or their packaging looks different.
If you have any questions about your cholesterol-lowering meds, please get in touch with us and we will do our best to help.
How can I refill my prescription for cholesterol-lowering drugs with NX Pharmacies?
NX Pharmacies, your doctor and your insurance company work together to ensure you never run out of the statins that you must take every day. We offer automatic refills, or you can set up a refill reminder so you can ask for a delivery.
Do I need a valid prescription to get statins?
Statins are not available over the counter. If your doctor diagnoses you as having high cholesterol that cannot safely be lowered with lifestyle changes, they will prescribe statins or another kind of medication to maintain safe cholesterol levels.
We can help if you need your prescription for statins renewing or refilling – just ask.