All About Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd"> <html lang="en"> <head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=Edge" /><script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={});NREUM.info = {"beacon":"bam.nr-data.net","errorBeacon":"bam.nr-data.net","licenseKey":"NRJS-60341a8e5ba764cea61","applicationID":"589669330","transactionName":"NlYAY0FQWhADVhINXw8cI2RjHlAGBFQTCERPUhFHSw==","queueTime":0,"applicationTime":203,"agent":"","atts":"","sslForHttp":"true"}</script><script type="text/javascript">(window.NREUM||(NREUM={})).init={privacy:{cookies_enabled:false},ajax:{deny_list:["bam.nr-data.net"]}};(window.NREUM||(NREUM={})).loader_config={xpid:"VgEOUldTABAFXFhUAQgEVVQ=",licenseKey:"NRJS-60341a8e5ba764cea61",applicationID:"589669330"};window.NREUM||(NREUM={}),__nr_require=function(t,e,n){function r(n){if(!e[n]){var i=e[n]={exports:{}};t[n][0].call(i.exports,function(e){var i=t[n][1][e];return r(i||e)},i,i.exports)}return e[n].exports}if("function"==typeof __nr_require)return __nr_require;for(var i=0;i<n.length;i++)r(n[i]);return r}({1:[function(t,e,n){function r(t){try{s.console&&console.log(t)}catch(e){}}var i,o=t("ee"),a=t(27),s={};try{i=localStorage.getItem("__nr_flags").split(","),console&&"function"==typeof console.log&&(s.console=!0,i.indexOf("dev")!==-1&&(s.dev=!0),i.indexOf("nr_dev")!==-1&&(s.nrDev=!0))}catch(c){}s.nrDev&&o.on("internal-error",function(t){r(t.stack)}),s.dev&&o.on("fn-err",function(t,e,n){r(n.stack)}),s.dev&&(r("NR AGENT IN DEVELOPMENT MODE"),r("flags: "+a(s,function(t,e){return t}).join(", ")))},{}],2:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e,n,r,s){try{p?p-=1:i(s||new UncaughtException(t,e,n),!0)}catch(f){try{o("ierr",[f,c.now(),!0])}catch(d){}}return"function"==typeof u&&u.apply(this,a(arguments))}function UncaughtException(t,e,n){this.message=t||"Uncaught error with no additional information",this.sourceURL=e,this.line=n}function i(t,e){var n=e?null:c.now();o("err",[t,n])}var o=t("handle"),a=t(28),s=t("ee"),c=t("loader"),f=t("gos"),u=window.onerror,d=!1,l="nr@seenError";if(!c.disabled){var p=0;c.features.err=!0,t(1),window.onerror=r;try{throw new Error}catch(h){"stack"in h&&(t(10),t(9),"addEventListener"in window&&t(6),c.xhrWrappable&&t(11),d=!0)}s.on("fn-start",function(t,e,n){d&&(p+=1)}),s.on("fn-err",function(t,e,n){d&&!n[l]&&(f(n,l,function(){return!0}),this.thrown=!0,i(n))}),s.on("fn-end",function(){d&&!this.thrown&&p>0&&(p-=1)}),s.on("internal-error",function(t){o("ierr",[t,c.now(),!0])})}},{}],3:[function(t,e,n){var r=t("loader");r.disabled||(r.features.ins=!0)},{}],4:[function(t,e,n){function r(){var t=new PerformanceObserver(function(t,e){var n=t.getEntries();s(v,[n])});try{t.observe({entryTypes:["resource"]})}catch(e){}}function i(t){if(s(v,[window.performance.getEntriesByType(w)]),window.performance["c"+l])try{window.performance[h](m,i,!1)}catch(t){}else try{window.performance[h]("webkit"+m,i,!1)}catch(t){}}function o(t){}if(window.performance&&window.performance.timing&&window.performance.getEntriesByType){var a=t("ee"),s=t("handle"),c=t(10),f=t(9),u=t(5),d=t(19),l="learResourceTimings",p="addEventListener",h="removeEventListener",m="resourcetimingbufferfull",v="bstResource",w="resource",g="-start",y="-end",x="fn"+g,b="fn"+y,E="bstTimer",R="pushState",S=t("loader");if(!S.disabled){S.features.stn=!0,t(8),"addEventListener"in window&&t(6);var O=NREUM.o.EV;a.on(x,function(t,e){var n=t[0];n instanceof O&&(this.bstStart=S.now())}),a.on(b,function(t,e){var n=t[0];n instanceof O&&s("bst",[n,e,this.bstStart,S.now()])}),c.on(x,function(t,e,n){this.bstStart=S.now(),this.bstType=n}),c.on(b,function(t,e){s(E,[e,this.bstStart,S.now(),this.bstType])}),f.on(x,function(){this.bstStart=S.now()}),f.on(b,function(t,e){s(E,[e,this.bstStart,S.now(),"requestAnimationFrame"])}),a.on(R+g,function(t){this.time=S.now(),this.startPath=location.pathname+location.hash}),a.on(R+y,function(t){s("bstHist",[location.pathname+location.hash,this.startPath,this.time])}),u()?(s(v,[window.performance.getEntriesByType("resource")]),r()):p in window.performance&&(window.performance["c"+l]?window.performance[p](m,i,d(!1)):window.performance[p]("webkit"+m,i,d(!1))),document[p]("scroll",o,d(!1)),document[p]("keypress",o,d(!1)),document[p]("click",o,d(!1))}}},{}],5:[function(t,e,n){e.exports=function(){return"PerformanceObserver"in window&&"function"==typeof window.PerformanceObserver}},{}],6:[function(t,e,n){function r(t){for(var e=t;e&&!e.hasOwnProperty(u);)e=Object.getPrototypeOf(e);e&&i(e)}function i(t){s.inPlace(t,[u,d],"-",o)}function o(t,e){return t[1]}var a=t("ee").get("events"),s=t("wrap-function")(a,!0),c=t("gos"),f=XMLHttpRequest,u="addEventListener",d="removeEventListener";e.exports=a,"getPrototypeOf"in Object?(r(document),r(window),r(f.prototype)):f.prototype.hasOwnProperty(u)&&(i(window),i(f.prototype)),a.on(u+"-start",function(t,e){var n=t[1];if(null!==n&&("function"==typeof n||"object"==typeof n)){var r=c(n,"nr@wrapped",function(){function t(){if("function"==typeof n.handleEvent)return n.handleEvent.apply(n,arguments)}var e={object:t,"function":n}[typeof n];return e?s(e,"fn-",null,e.name||"anonymous"):n});this.wrapped=t[1]=r}}),a.on(d+"-start",function(t){t[1]=this.wrapped||t[1]})},{}],7:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e,n){var r=t[e];"function"==typeof r&&(t[e]=function(){var t=o(arguments),e={};i.emit(n+"before-start",[t],e);var a;e[m]&&e[m].dt&&(a=e[m].dt);var s=r.apply(this,t);return i.emit(n+"start",[t,a],s),s.then(function(t){return i.emit(n+"end",[null,t],s),t},function(t){throw i.emit(n+"end",[t],s),t})})}var i=t("ee").get("fetch"),o=t(28),a=t(27);e.exports=i;var s=window,c="fetch-",f=c+"body-",u=["arrayBuffer","blob","json","text","formData"],d=s.Request,l=s.Response,p=s.fetch,h="prototype",m="nr@context";d&&l&&p&&(a(u,function(t,e){r(d[h],e,f),r(l[h],e,f)}),r(s,"fetch",c),i.on(c+"end",function(t,e){var n=this;if(e){var r=e.headers.get("content-length");null!==r&&(n.rxSize=r),i.emit(c+"done",[null,e],n)}else i.emit(c+"done",[t],n)}))},{}],8:[function(t,e,n){var r=t("ee").get("history"),i=t("wrap-function")(r);e.exports=r;var o=window.history&&window.history.constructor&&window.history.constructor.prototype,a=window.history;o&&o.pushState&&o.replaceState&&(a=o),i.inPlace(a,["pushState","replaceState"],"-")},{}],9:[function(t,e,n){var r=t("ee").get("raf"),i=t("wrap-function")(r),o="equestAnimationFrame";e.exports=r,i.inPlace(window,["r"+o,"mozR"+o,"webkitR"+o,"msR"+o],"raf-"),r.on("raf-start",function(t){t[0]=i(t[0],"fn-")})},{}],10:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e,n){t[0]=a(t[0],"fn-",null,n)}function i(t,e,n){this.method=n,this.timerDuration=isNaN(t[1])?0:+t[1],t[0]=a(t[0],"fn-",this,n)}var o=t("ee").get("timer"),a=t("wrap-function")(o),s="setTimeout",c="setInterval",f="clearTimeout",u="-start",d="-";e.exports=o,a.inPlace(window,[s,"setImmediate"],s+d),a.inPlace(window,[c],c+d),a.inPlace(window,[f,"clearImmediate"],f+d),o.on(c+u,r),o.on(s+u,i)},{}],11:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e){d.inPlace(e,["onreadystatechange"],"fn-",s)}function i(){var t=this,e=u.context(t);t.readyState>3&&!e.resolved&&(e.resolved=!0,u.emit("xhr-resolved",[],t)),d.inPlace(t,y,"fn-",s)}function o(t){x.push(t),m&&(E?E.then(a):w?w(a):(R=-R,S.data=R))}function a(){for(var t=0;t<x.length;t++)r([],x[t]);x.length&&(x=[])}function s(t,e){return e}function c(t,e){for(var n in t)e[n]=t[n];return e}t(6);var f=t("ee"),u=f.get("xhr"),d=t("wrap-function")(u),l=t(19),p=NREUM.o,h=p.XHR,m=p.MO,v=p.PR,w=p.SI,g="readystatechange",y=["onload","onerror","onabort","onloadstart","onloadend","onprogress","ontimeout"],x=[];e.exports=u;var b=window.XMLHttpRequest=function(t){var e=new h(t);try{u.emit("new-xhr",[e],e),e.addEventListener(g,i,l(!1))}catch(n){try{u.emit("internal-error",[n])}catch(r){}}return e};if(c(h,b),b.prototype=h.prototype,d.inPlace(b.prototype,["open","send"],"-xhr-",s),u.on("send-xhr-start",function(t,e){r(t,e),o(e)}),u.on("open-xhr-start",r),m){var E=v&&v.resolve();if(!w&&!v){var R=1,S=document.createTextNode(R);new m(a).observe(S,{characterData:!0})}}else f.on("fn-end",function(t){t[0]&&t[0].type===g||a()})},{}],12:[function(t,e,n){function r(t){if(!s(t))return null;var e=window.NREUM;if(!e.loader_config)return null;var n=(e.loader_config.accountID||"").toString()||null,r=(e.loader_config.agentID||"").toString()||null,f=(e.loader_config.trustKey||"").toString()||null;if(!n||!r)return null;var h=p.generateSpanId(),m=p.generateTraceId(),v=Date.now(),w={spanId:h,traceId:m,timestamp:v};return(t.sameOrigin||c(t)&&l())&&(w.traceContextParentHeader=i(h,m),w.traceContextStateHeader=o(h,v,n,r,f)),(t.sameOrigin&&!u()||!t.sameOrigin&&c(t)&&d())&&(w.newrelicHeader=a(h,m,v,n,r,f)),w}function i(t,e){return"00-"+e+"-"+t+"-01"}function o(t,e,n,r,i){var o=0,a="",s=1,c="",f="";return i+"@nr="+o+"-"+s+"-"+n+"-"+r+"-"+t+"-"+a+"-"+c+"-"+f+"-"+e}function a(t,e,n,r,i,o){var a="btoa"in window&&"function"==typeof window.btoa;if(!a)return null;var s={v:[0,1],d:{ty:"Browser",ac:r,ap:i,id:t,tr:e,ti:n}};return o&&r!==o&&(s.d.tk=o),btoa(JSON.stringify(s))}function s(t){return f()&&c(t)}function c(t){var e=!1,n={};if("init"in NREUM&&"distributed_tracing"in NREUM.init&&(n=NREUM.init.distributed_tracing),t.sameOrigin)e=!0;else if(n.allowed_origins instanceof Array)for(var r=0;r<n.allowed_origins.length;r++){var i=h(n.allowed_origins[r]);if(t.hostname===i.hostname&&t.protocol===i.protocol&&t.port===i.port){e=!0;break}}return e}function f(){return"init"in NREUM&&"distributed_tracing"in NREUM.init&&!!NREUM.init.distributed_tracing.enabled}function u(){return"init"in NREUM&&"distributed_tracing"in NREUM.init&&!!NREUM.init.distributed_tracing.exclude_newrelic_header}function d(){return"init"in NREUM&&"distributed_tracing"in NREUM.init&&NREUM.init.distributed_tracing.cors_use_newrelic_header!==!1}function l(){return"init"in NREUM&&"distributed_tracing"in NREUM.init&&!!NREUM.init.distributed_tracing.cors_use_tracecontext_headers}var p=t(24),h=t(14);e.exports={generateTracePayload:r,shouldGenerateTrace:s}},{}],13:[function(t,e,n){function r(t){var e=this.params,n=this.metrics;if(!this.ended){this.ended=!0;for(var r=0;r<l;r++)t.removeEventListener(d[r],this.listener,!1);return e.protocol&&"data"===e.protocol?void g("Ajax/DataUrl/Excluded"):void(e.aborted||(n.duration=a.now()-this.startTime,this.loadCaptureCalled||4!==t.readyState?null==e.status&&(e.status=0):o(this,t),n.cbTime=this.cbTime,s("xhr",[e,n,this.startTime,this.endTime,"xhr"],this)))}}function i(t,e){var n=c(e),r=t.params;r.hostname=n.hostname,r.port=n.port,r.protocol=n.protocol,r.host=n.hostname+":"+n.port,r.pathname=n.pathname,t.parsedOrigin=n,t.sameOrigin=n.sameOrigin}function o(t,e){t.params.status=e.status;var n=v(e,t.lastSize);if(n&&(t.metrics.rxSize=n),t.sameOrigin){var r=e.getResponseHeader("X-NewRelic-App-Data");r&&(t.params.cat=r.split(", ").pop())}t.loadCaptureCalled=!0}var a=t("loader");if(a.xhrWrappable&&!a.disabled){var s=t("handle"),c=t(14),f=t(12).generateTracePayload,u=t("ee"),d=["load","error","abort","timeout"],l=d.length,p=t("id"),h=t(20),m=t(18),v=t(15),w=t(19),g=t(21).recordSupportability,y=NREUM.o.REQ,x=window.XMLHttpRequest;a.features.xhr=!0,t(11),t(7),u.on("new-xhr",function(t){var e=this;e.totalCbs=0,e.called=0,e.cbTime=0,e.end=r,e.ended=!1,e.xhrGuids={},e.lastSize=null,e.loadCaptureCalled=!1,e.params=this.params||{},e.metrics=this.metrics||{},t.addEventListener("load",function(n){o(e,t)},w(!1)),h&&(h>34||h<10)||t.addEventListener("progress",function(t){e.lastSize=t.loaded},w(!1))}),u.on("open-xhr-start",function(t){this.params={method:t[0]},i(this,t[1]),this.metrics={}}),u.on("open-xhr-end",function(t,e){"loader_config"in NREUM&&"xpid"in NREUM.loader_config&&this.sameOrigin&&e.setRequestHeader("X-NewRelic-ID",NREUM.loader_config.xpid);var n=f(this.parsedOrigin);if(n){var r=!1;n.newrelicHeader&&(e.setRequestHeader("newrelic",n.newrelicHeader),r=!0),n.traceContextParentHeader&&(e.setRequestHeader("traceparent",n.traceContextParentHeader),n.traceContextStateHeader&&e.setRequestHeader("tracestate",n.traceContextStateHeader),r=!0),r&&(this.dt=n)}}),u.on("send-xhr-start",function(t,e){var n=this.metrics,r=t[0],i=this;if(n&&r){var o=m(r);o&&(n.txSize=o)}this.startTime=a.now(),this.listener=function(t){try{"abort"!==t.type||i.loadCaptureCalled||(i.params.aborted=!0),("load"!==t.type||i.called===i.totalCbs&&(i.onloadCalled||"function"!=typeof e.onload))&&i.end(e)}catch(n){try{u.emit("internal-error",[n])}catch(r){}}};for(var s=0;s<l;s++)e.addEventListener(d[s],this.listener,w(!1))}),u.on("xhr-cb-time",function(t,e,n){this.cbTime+=t,e?this.onloadCalled=!0:this.called+=1,this.called!==this.totalCbs||!this.onloadCalled&&"function"==typeof n.onload||this.end(n)}),u.on("xhr-load-added",function(t,e){var n=""+p(t)+!!e;this.xhrGuids&&!this.xhrGuids[n]&&(this.xhrGuids[n]=!0,this.totalCbs+=1)}),u.on("xhr-load-removed",function(t,e){var n=""+p(t)+!!e;this.xhrGuids&&this.xhrGuids[n]&&(delete this.xhrGuids[n],this.totalCbs-=1)}),u.on("xhr-resolved",function(){this.endTime=a.now()}),u.on("addEventListener-end",function(t,e){e instanceof x&&"load"===t[0]&&u.emit("xhr-load-added",[t[1],t[2]],e)}),u.on("removeEventListener-end",function(t,e){e instanceof x&&"load"===t[0]&&u.emit("xhr-load-removed",[t[1],t[2]],e)}),u.on("fn-start",function(t,e,n){e instanceof x&&("onload"===n&&(this.onload=!0),("load"===(t[0]&&t[0].type)||this.onload)&&(this.xhrCbStart=a.now()))}),u.on("fn-end",function(t,e){this.xhrCbStart&&u.emit("xhr-cb-time",[a.now()-this.xhrCbStart,this.onload,e],e)}),u.on("fetch-before-start",function(t){function e(t,e){var n=!1;return e.newrelicHeader&&(t.set("newrelic",e.newrelicHeader),n=!0),e.traceContextParentHeader&&(t.set("traceparent",e.traceContextParentHeader),e.traceContextStateHeader&&t.set("tracestate",e.traceContextStateHeader),n=!0),n}var n,r=t[1]||{};"string"==typeof t[0]?n=t[0]:t[0]&&t[0].url?n=t[0].url:window.URL&&t[0]&&t[0]instanceof URL&&(n=t[0].href),n&&(this.parsedOrigin=c(n),this.sameOrigin=this.parsedOrigin.sameOrigin);var i=f(this.parsedOrigin);if(i&&(i.newrelicHeader||i.traceContextParentHeader))if("string"==typeof t[0]||window.URL&&t[0]&&t[0]instanceof URL){var o={};for(var a in r)o[a]=r[a];o.headers=new Headers(r.headers||{}),e(o.headers,i)&&(this.dt=i),t.length>1?t[1]=o:t.push(o)}else t[0]&&t[0].headers&&e(t[0].headers,i)&&(this.dt=i)}),u.on("fetch-start",function(t,e){this.params={},this.metrics={},this.startTime=a.now(),this.dt=e,t.length>=1&&(this.target=t[0]),t.length>=2&&(this.opts=t[1]);var n,r=this.opts||{},o=this.target;if("string"==typeof o?n=o:"object"==typeof o&&o instanceof y?n=o.url:window.URL&&"object"==typeof o&&o instanceof URL&&(n=o.href),i(this,n),"data"!==this.params.protocol){var s=(""+(o&&o instanceof y&&o.method||r.method||"GET")).toUpperCase();this.params.method=s,this.txSize=m(r.body)||0}}),u.on("fetch-done",function(t,e){if(this.endTime=a.now(),this.params||(this.params={}),"data"===this.params.protocol)return void g("Ajax/DataUrl/Excluded");this.params.status=e?e.status:0;var n;"string"==typeof this.rxSize&&this.rxSize.length>0&&(n=+this.rxSize);var r={txSize:this.txSize,rxSize:n,duration:a.now()-this.startTime};s("xhr",[this.params,r,this.startTime,this.endTime,"fetch"],this)})}},{}],14:[function(t,e,n){var r={};e.exports=function(t){if(t in r)return r[t];if(0===(t||"").indexOf("data:"))return{protocol:"data"};var e=document.createElement("a"),n=window.location,i={};e.href=t,i.port=e.port;var o=e.href.split("://");!i.port&&o[1]&&(i.port=o[1].split("/")[0].split("@").pop().split(":")[1]),i.port&&"0"!==i.port||(i.port="https"===o[0]?"443":"80"),i.hostname=e.hostname||n.hostname,i.pathname=e.pathname,i.protocol=o[0],"/"!==i.pathname.charAt(0)&&(i.pathname="/"+i.pathname);var a=!e.protocol||":"===e.protocol||e.protocol===n.protocol,s=e.hostname===document.domain&&e.port===n.port;return i.sameOrigin=a&&(!e.hostname||s),"/"===i.pathname&&(r[t]=i),i}},{}],15:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e){var n=t.responseType;return"json"===n&&null!==e?e:"arraybuffer"===n||"blob"===n||"json"===n?i(t.response):"text"===n||""===n||void 0===n?i(t.responseText):void 0}var i=t(18);e.exports=r},{}],16:[function(t,e,n){function r(){}function i(t,e,n,r){return function(){return u.recordSupportability("API/"+e+"/called"),o(t+e,[f.now()].concat(s(arguments)),n?null:this,r),n?void 0:this}}var o=t("handle"),a=t(27),s=t(28),c=t("ee").get("tracer"),f=t("loader"),u=t(21),d=NREUM;"undefined"==typeof window.newrelic&&(newrelic=d);var l=["setPageViewName","setCustomAttribute","setErrorHandler","finished","addToTrace","inlineHit","addRelease"],p="api-",h=p+"ixn-";a(l,function(t,e){d[e]=i(p,e,!0,"api")}),d.addPageAction=i(p,"addPageAction",!0),d.setCurrentRouteName=i(p,"routeName",!0),e.exports=newrelic,d.interaction=function(){return(new r).get()};var m=r.prototype={createTracer:function(t,e){var n={},r=this,i="function"==typeof e;return o(h+"tracer",[f.now(),t,n],r),function(){if(c.emit((i?"":"no-")+"fn-start",[f.now(),r,i],n),i)try{return e.apply(this,arguments)}catch(t){throw c.emit("fn-err",[arguments,this,t],n),t}finally{c.emit("fn-end",[f.now()],n)}}}};a("actionText,setName,setAttribute,save,ignore,onEnd,getContext,end,get".split(","),function(t,e){m[e]=i(h,e)}),newrelic.noticeError=function(t,e){"string"==typeof t&&(t=new Error(t)),u.recordSupportability("API/noticeError/called"),o("err",[t,f.now(),!1,e])}},{}],17:[function(t,e,n){function r(t){if(NREUM.init){for(var e=NREUM.init,n=t.split("."),r=0;r<n.length-1;r++)if(e=e[n[r]],"object"!=typeof e)return;return e=e[n[n.length-1]]}}e.exports={getConfiguration:r}},{}],18:[function(t,e,n){e.exports=function(t){if("string"==typeof t&&t.length)return t.length;if("object"==typeof t){if("undefined"!=typeof ArrayBuffer&&t instanceof ArrayBuffer&&t.byteLength)return t.byteLength;if("undefined"!=typeof Blob&&t instanceof Blob&&t.size)return t.size;if(!("undefined"!=typeof FormData&&t instanceof FormData))try{return JSON.stringify(t).length}catch(e){return}}}},{}],19:[function(t,e,n){var r=!1;try{var i=Object.defineProperty({},"passive",{get:function(){r=!0}});window.addEventListener("testPassive",null,i),window.removeEventListener("testPassive",null,i)}catch(o){}e.exports=function(t){return r?{passive:!0,capture:!!t}:!!t}},{}],20:[function(t,e,n){var r=0,i=navigator.userAgent.match(/Firefox[\/\s](\d+\.\d+)/);i&&(r=+i[1]),e.exports=r},{}],21:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e){var n=[a,t,{name:t},e];return o("storeMetric",n,null,"api"),n}function i(t,e){var n=[s,t,{name:t},e];return o("storeEventMetrics",n,null,"api"),n}var o=t("handle"),a="sm",s="cm";e.exports={constants:{SUPPORTABILITY_METRIC:a,CUSTOM_METRIC:s},recordSupportability:r,recordCustom:i}},{}],22:[function(t,e,n){function r(){return s.exists&&performance.now?Math.round(performance.now()):(o=Math.max((new Date).getTime(),o))-a}function i(){return o}var o=(new Date).getTime(),a=o,s=t(29);e.exports=r,e.exports.offset=a,e.exports.getLastTimestamp=i},{}],23:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e){var n=t.getEntries();n.forEach(function(t){"first-paint"===t.name?p("timing",["fp",Math.floor(t.startTime)]):"first-contentful-paint"===t.name&&p("timing",["fcp",Math.floor(t.startTime)])})}function i(t,e){var n=t.getEntries();if(n.length>0){var r=n[n.length-1];if(f&&f<r.startTime)return;var i=[r],o=a({});o&&i.push(o),p("lcp",i)}}function o(t){t.getEntries().forEach(function(t){t.hadRecentInput||p("cls",[t])})}function a(t){var e=navigator.connection||navigator.mozConnection||navigator.webkitConnection;if(e)return e.type&&(t["net-type"]=e.type),e.effectiveType&&(t["net-etype"]=e.effectiveType),e.rtt&&(t["net-rtt"]=e.rtt),e.downlink&&(t["net-dlink"]=e.downlink),t}function s(t){if(t instanceof w&&!y){var e=Math.round(t.timeStamp),n={type:t.type};a(n),e<=h.now()?n.fid=h.now()-e:e>h.offset&&e<=Date.now()?(e-=h.offset,n.fid=h.now()-e):e=h.now(),y=!0,p("timing",["fi",e,n])}}function c(t){"hidden"===t&&(f=h.now(),p("pageHide",[f]))}if(!("init"in NREUM&&"page_view_timing"in NREUM.init&&"enabled"in NREUM.init.page_view_timing&&NREUM.init.page_view_timing.enabled===!1)){var f,u,d,l,p=t("handle"),h=t("loader"),m=t(26),v=t(19),w=NREUM.o.EV;if("PerformanceObserver"in window&&"function"==typeof window.PerformanceObserver){u=new PerformanceObserver(r);try{u.observe({entryTypes:["paint"]})}catch(g){}d=new PerformanceObserver(i);try{d.observe({entryTypes:["largest-contentful-paint"]})}catch(g){}l=new PerformanceObserver(o);try{l.observe({type:"layout-shift",buffered:!0})}catch(g){}}if("addEventListener"in document){var y=!1,x=["click","keydown","mousedown","pointerdown","touchstart"];x.forEach(function(t){document.addEventListener(t,s,v(!1))})}m(c)}},{}],24:[function(t,e,n){function r(){function t(){return e?15&e[n++]:16*Math.random()|0}var e=null,n=0,r=window.crypto||window.msCrypto;r&&r.getRandomValues&&(e=r.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(31)));for(var i,o="xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx",a="",s=0;s<o.length;s++)i=o[s],"x"===i?a+=t().toString(16):"y"===i?(i=3&t()|8,a+=i.toString(16)):a+=i;return a}function i(){return a(16)}function o(){return a(32)}function a(t){function e(){return n?15&n[r++]:16*Math.random()|0}var n=null,r=0,i=window.crypto||window.msCrypto;i&&i.getRandomValues&&Uint8Array&&(n=i.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(t)));for(var o=[],a=0;a<t;a++)o.push(e().toString(16));return o.join("")}e.exports={generateUuid:r,generateSpanId:i,generateTraceId:o}},{}],25:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e){if(!i)return!1;if(t!==i)return!1;if(!e)return!0;if(!o)return!1;for(var n=o.split("."),r=e.split("."),a=0;a<r.length;a++)if(r[a]!==n[a])return!1;return!0}var i=null,o=null,a=/Version\/(\S+)\s+Safari/;if(navigator.userAgent){var s=navigator.userAgent,c=s.match(a);c&&s.indexOf("Chrome")===-1&&s.indexOf("Chromium")===-1&&(i="Safari",o=c[1])}e.exports={agent:i,version:o,match:r}},{}],26:[function(t,e,n){function r(t){function e(){t(s&&document[s]?document[s]:document[o]?"hidden":"visible")}"addEventListener"in document&&a&&document.addEventListener(a,e,i(!1))}var i=t(19);e.exports=r;var o,a,s;"undefined"!=typeof document.hidden?(o="hidden",a="visibilitychange",s="visibilityState"):"undefined"!=typeof document.msHidden?(o="msHidden",a="msvisibilitychange"):"undefined"!=typeof document.webkitHidden&&(o="webkitHidden",a="webkitvisibilitychange",s="webkitVisibilityState")},{}],27:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e){var n=[],r="",o=0;for(r in t)i.call(t,r)&&(n[o]=e(r,t[r]),o+=1);return n}var i=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;e.exports=r},{}],28:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e,n){e||(e=0),"undefined"==typeof n&&(n=t?t.length:0);for(var r=-1,i=n-e||0,o=Array(i<0?0:i);++r<i;)o[r]=t[e+r];return o}e.exports=r},{}],29:[function(t,e,n){e.exports={exists:"undefined"!=typeof window.performance&&window.performance.timing&&"undefined"!=typeof window.performance.timing.navigationStart}},{}],ee:[function(t,e,n){function r(){}function i(t){function e(t){return t&&t instanceof r?t:t?f(t,c,a):a()}function n(n,r,i,o,a){if(a!==!1&&(a=!0),!p.aborted||o){t&&a&&t(n,r,i);for(var s=e(i),c=m(n),f=c.length,u=0;u<f;u++)c[u].apply(s,r);var l=d[y[n]];return l&&l.push([x,n,r,s]),s}}function o(t,e){g[t]=m(t).concat(e)}function h(t,e){var n=g[t];if(n)for(var r=0;r<n.length;r++)n[r]===e&&n.splice(r,1)}function m(t){return g[t]||[]}function v(t){return l[t]=l[t]||i(n)}function w(t,e){p.aborted||u(t,function(t,n){e=e||"feature",y[n]=e,e in d||(d[e]=[])})}var g={},y={},x={on:o,addEventListener:o,removeEventListener:h,emit:n,get:v,listeners:m,context:e,buffer:w,abort:s,aborted:!1};return x}function o(t){return f(t,c,a)}function a(){return new r}function s(){(d.api||d.feature)&&(p.aborted=!0,d=p.backlog={})}var c="nr@context",f=t("gos"),u=t(27),d={},l={},p=e.exports=i();e.exports.getOrSetContext=o,p.backlog=d},{}],gos:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e,n){if(i.call(t,e))return t[e];var r=n();if(Object.defineProperty&&Object.keys)try{return Object.defineProperty(t,e,{value:r,writable:!0,enumerable:!1}),r}catch(o){}return t[e]=r,r}var i=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;e.exports=r},{}],handle:[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e,n,r){i.buffer([t],r),i.emit(t,e,n)}var i=t("ee").get("handle");e.exports=r,r.ee=i},{}],id:[function(t,e,n){function r(t){var e=typeof t;return!t||"object"!==e&&"function"!==e?-1:t===window?0:a(t,o,function(){return i++})}var i=1,o="nr@id",a=t("gos");e.exports=r},{}],loader:[function(t,e,n){function r(){if(!O++){var t=S.info=NREUM.info,e=m.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];if(setTimeout(f.abort,3e4),!(t&&t.licenseKey&&t.applicationID&&e))return f.abort();c(E,function(e,n){t[e]||(t[e]=n)});var n=a();s("mark",["onload",n+S.offset],null,"api"),s("timing",["load",n]);var r=m.createElement("script");0===t.agent.indexOf("http://")||0===t.agent.indexOf("https://")?r.src=t.agent:r.src=p+"://"+t.agent,e.parentNode.insertBefore(r,e)}}function i(){"complete"===m.readyState&&o()}function o(){s("mark",["domContent",a()+S.offset],null,"api")}var a=t(22),s=t("handle"),c=t(27),f=t("ee"),u=t(25),d=t(17),l=t(19),p=d.getConfiguration("ssl")===!1?"http":"https",h=window,m=h.document,v="addEventListener",w="attachEvent",g=h.XMLHttpRequest,y=g&&g.prototype,x=!1;NREUM.o={ST:setTimeout,SI:h.setImmediate,CT:clearTimeout,XHR:g,REQ:h.Request,EV:h.Event,PR:h.Promise,MO:h.MutationObserver};var b=""+location,E={beacon:"bam.nr-data.net",errorBeacon:"bam.nr-data.net",agent:"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-1216.min.js"},R=g&&y&&y[v]&&!/CriOS/.test(navigator.userAgent),S=e.exports={offset:a.getLastTimestamp(),now:a,origin:b,features:{},xhrWrappable:R,userAgent:u,disabled:x};if(!x){t(16),t(23),m[v]?(m[v]("DOMContentLoaded",o,l(!1)),h[v]("load",r,l(!1))):(m[w]("onreadystatechange",i),h[w]("onload",r)),s("mark",["firstbyte",a.getLastTimestamp()],null,"api");var O=0}},{}],"wrap-function":[function(t,e,n){function r(t,e){function n(e,n,r,c,f){function nrWrapper(){var o,a,u,l;try{a=this,o=d(arguments),u="function"==typeof r?r(o,a):r||{}}catch(p){i([p,"",[o,a,c],u],t)}s(n+"start",[o,a,c],u,f);try{return l=e.apply(a,o)}catch(h){throw s(n+"err",[o,a,h],u,f),h}finally{s(n+"end",[o,a,l],u,f)}}return a(e)?e:(n||(n=""),nrWrapper[l]=e,o(e,nrWrapper,t),nrWrapper)}function r(t,e,r,i,o){r||(r="");var s,c,f,u="-"===r.charAt(0);for(f=0;f<e.length;f++)c=e[f],s=t[c],a(s)||(t[c]=n(s,u?c+r:r,i,c,o))}function s(n,r,o,a){if(!h||e){var s=h;h=!0;try{t.emit(n,r,o,e,a)}catch(c){i([c,n,r,o],t)}h=s}}return t||(t=u),n.inPlace=r,n.flag=l,n}function i(t,e){e||(e=u);try{e.emit("internal-error",t)}catch(n){}}function o(t,e,n){if(Object.defineProperty&&Object.keys)try{var r=Object.keys(t);return r.forEach(function(n){Object.defineProperty(e,n,{get:function(){return t[n]},set:function(e){return t[n]=e,e}})}),e}catch(o){i([o],n)}for(var a in t)p.call(t,a)&&(e[a]=t[a]);return e}function a(t){return!(t&&t instanceof Function&&t.apply&&!t[l])}function s(t,e){var n=e(t);return n[l]=t,o(t,n,u),n}function c(t,e,n){var r=t[e];t[e]=s(r,n)}function f(){for(var t=arguments.length,e=new Array(t),n=0;n<t;++n)e[n]=arguments[n];return e}var u=t("ee"),d=t(28),l="nr@original",p=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty,h=!1;e.exports=r,e.exports.wrapFunction=s,e.exports.wrapInPlace=c,e.exports.argsToArray=f},{}]},{},["loader",2,13,4,3]);</script> <meta name="keywords" content="Cardiology,Cardiovascular Disease, Prevention" /> <meta property="og:title" content="All About Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines" /> <meta property="og:url" content="http://healthlibrary.brighamandwomens.org/Conditions/Heart/56,2822" /> <meta name="description" content="There are 7 main types of cholesterol-lowering medicines." /> <meta property="og:description" content="There are 7 main types of cholesterol-lowering medicines." /> <script type="text/javascript" src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.2.0/jquery.min.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8.23/jquery-ui.min.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery-migrate/1.3.0/jquery-migrate.min.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/scripts/PromptBox.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/global.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/scripts/preLoadjs-0.2.0.min.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/tooltip.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.6/js/bootstrap.min.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/Responsive.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/trackOutboundLink.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/OneTrust.js" ></script> <script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0004"> </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" someAttr="test" href="/Conditions/Heart/Area0.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" someAttr="test" href="/Conditions/Heart/Area1.css" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <script src="swBootstrapStyles.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="contentIcons.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="jquery.bxslider.js"></script> <link REL="SHORTCUT ICON" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" /> <script src="jquery-accessibleMegaMenu.js"></script> <link href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,400i,600,600i"> <link href="main.style.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet"/> <script src="custom.js" type="text/javascript"></script>    <title> All About Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines </title></head> <body id="ICP"> <form name="Form1" method="post" action="./56,2822" id="Form1"> <div> <input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATE" id="__VIEWSTATE" value="kUDPDWestRnsqVu8D7ZxPCIt+WS+wghiSZ3hSOm7DDxc+HmvVc0G4zOWxXFRGUf4o43dVvn+3We9cLc7uJcRtMoapL5TqXMmgUFO1i0zeDjj74kfDieHdx/WfWp6DPBAxd/m89APhzng+YX9CYZOOw2uJCJNOsWcq5B1pEG4s0tgMvVk" /> </div> <script src="/Scripts/Autocomplete.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <div> <input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" id="__VIEWSTATEGENERATOR" value="CA0B0334" /> <input type="hidden" name="__VIEWSTATEENCRYPTED" id="__VIEWSTATEENCRYPTED" value="" /> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> (function (window, document, dataLayerName, id) { window[dataLayerName] = window[dataLayerName] || [], window[dataLayerName].push({ start: (new Date).getTime(), event: "stg.start" }); var scripts = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0], tags = document.createElement('script'); function stgCreateCookie(a, b, c) { var d = ""; if (c) { var e = new Date; e.setTime(e.getTime() + 24 * c * 60 * 60 * 1e3), d = "; expires=" + e.toUTCString() } document.cookie = a + "=" + b + d + "; path=/" } var isStgDebug = (window.location.href.match("stg_debug") || document.cookie.match("stg_debug")) && !window.location.href.match("stg_disable_debug"); stgCreateCookie("stg_debug", isStgDebug ? 1 : "", isStgDebug ? 14 : -1); var qP = []; dataLayerName !== "dataLayer" && qP.push("data_layer_name=" + dataLayerName), isStgDebug && qP.push("stg_debug"); var qPString = qP.length > 0 ? ("?" + qP.join("&")) : ""; tags.async = !0, tags.src = "https://mgb.containers.piwik.pro/" + id + ".js" + qPString, scripts.parentNode.insertBefore(tags, scripts); !function (a, n, i) { a[n] = a[n] || {}; for (var c = 0; c < i.length; c++)!function (i) { a[n][i] = a[n][i] || {}, a[n][i].api = a[n][i].api || function () { var a = [].slice.call(arguments, 0); "string" == typeof a[0] && window[dataLayerName].push({ event: n + "." + i + ":" + a[0], parameters: [].slice.call(arguments, 1) }) } }(i[c]) }(window, "ppms", ["tm", "cm"]); })(window, document, 'dataLayer', 'eb15999a-801a-420b-83fe-a6ec50f8d268'); </script> <img id="printLogo" src="/assets/BWH/core/sprites/vectors/bwh-logo.svg" class="print-logo" /> <header role="banner" class="header component"> <div class="header__upper"> <div class="container"> <a title="Brigham and Women's Hospital Logo" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/" target=""> <img id="" src="/assets/BWH/core/sprites/vectors/bwh-logo.svg" alt="Brigham and Women's Hospital Logo" class="header__logo"> </a> <div class="header__controls"> <button class="header__search header__search--desktop" onclick="return false;"> <svg class="header__search-icon"> <use xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#icon-search"></use> </svg> </button> <button class="header__menu" onclick="return false;"> <svg class="header__menu-icon" viewBox="0 0 22 14.5"> <title>icon-menu</title> <path d="M20.75 6H1.25a1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0 2.5h19.5a1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0-2.5zM1.25 2.5h19.5a1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0-2.5H1.25a1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0 2.5zM20.75 12H1.25a1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0 2.5h19.5a1.25 1.25 0 0 0 0-2.5z"></path> </svg> <br /> Menu </button> <button class="header__search header__search--mobile" onclick="return false;"> <svg class="header__search-icon" viewBox="0 0 19.4802 19.4824"> <title>icon-search</title> <path d="M5.562 12.33L.327 17.564a1.125 1.125 0 1 0 1.593 1.59l5.233-5.233a8.728 8.728 0 0 1-.853-.737 8.602 8.602 0 0 1-.738-.854zM17.403 2.08A7.102 7.102 0 0 0 7.36 12.123a7.176 7.176 0 0 0 .864.727 7.098 7.098 0 0 0 9.18-10.77zm-1.415 8.627a5.098 5.098 0 1 1 1.494-3.606 5.098 5.098 0 0 1-1.494 3.606z"></path> </svg> <br /> Search </button> </div> <nav aria-describedby="utility-nav-title" role="navigation" class="utility-nav"> <div class="visually-hidden" id="utility-nav-title">Utility Navigation</div> <ul class="utility-nav__list"> <li class="utility-nav__item"> <a class="utility-nav__link" title="Locations and Buildings at Brigham and Women's Hospital on Boston main campus & satellite locations" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/brigham-and-womens-hospital-locations-and-affiliates" target="">Locations</a> </li> <li class="utility-nav__item"> <a class="utility-nav__link" title="Find a Doctor at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/" target="">Find a Doctor</a> </li> <li class="utility-nav__item"> <a class="utility-nav__link" title="Request an Appointment at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/forms/request-an-appointment" target="">Request Appointment</a> </li> <li class="utility-nav__item"> <a class="utility-nav__link" title="Patient Gateway" href="https://patientgateway.massgeneralbrigham.org/mychart-prd/Authentication/Login?" target="_blank">Patient Gateway</a> </li> <li class="utility-nav__item"> <a class="utility-nav__link" title="Learn about Charitable Giving to Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="http://give.brighamandwomens.org/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=bwhmain&utm_campaign=thisisatestcampaign&utm_content=headerdonate" target="">Giving</a> </li> </ul> <div class="header__google-translate"> <div id="google_translate_element"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> function googleTranslateElementInit() { new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE, autoDisplay: false}, 'google_translate_element'); } </script> <script src="//translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="header__search-drawer"> <div class="site-search"> <div class="container"> <form onsubmit="this.action += '?text=' + $('.site-search__search-field').val()" action="/search-results.page" class="site-search__form" method="post"> <label for="site-search" class="site-search__label visually-hidden">Search</label> <input placeholder="Search..." type="search" class="site-search__search-field"> <input value="Search" type="submit" class="site-search__submit btn btn--secondary"> </form> <button class="site-search__close" onclick="return false;"> <svg class="site-search__close-icon"> <use xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#icon-x"></use> </svg> </button> <div or-tablet="show" class="site-search__quick-links"> <span class="site-search__qtitle">Quick Links</span> <ul class="site-search__qlist"> <li class="site-search__qitem"> <a class="site-search__qlink" title="Centers of Excellence, Clinical Departments & Services" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/services" target="">Departments & Services</a> </li> <li class="site-search__qitem"> <a class="site-search__qlink" title="Directions to and Parking at Brigham and Women's Main Campus" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/locations/boston-main-campus-self-parking-and-valet" target="">Directions & Parking</a> </li> <li class="site-search__qitem"> <a class="site-search__qlink" title="Access Your Medical Records Online, Transfer Medical Records to BWH, or Obtain Copies of BWH Records" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/patients/medical-records" target="">Medical Records</a> </li> <li class="site-search__qitem"> <a class="site-search__qlink" title="Physical Therapy (PT), Rehabilitation Services" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/rehabilitation-services/physical-and-occupational-therapy-rehabilitation-services" target="">Physical Therapy (PT)</a> </li> <li class="site-search__qitem"> <a class="site-search__qlink" title="Primary Care Practices at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medicine/general-internal-medicine-and-primary-care/primary-care-practices" target="">Primary Care</a> </li> <li class="site-search__qitem"> <a class="site-search__qlink" title="Volunteer at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/volunteer/office-of-sponsored-staff-and-volunteer-services" target="">Volunteer</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header__menu-drawer"> <div data-component="mobile-nav" class="mobile-nav"> <div class="quick-link-bar"> <ul class="quick-link-bar__row"> <li class="quick-link-bar__item"> <a class="quick-link-bar__link" title="Find a Doctor at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/" target="">Find a Doctor</a> </li> <li class="quick-link-bar__item"> <a class="quick-link-bar__link" title="Request an Appointment at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/forms/request-an-appointment" target="">Request Appointment</a> </li> <li class="quick-link-bar__item"> <a class="quick-link-bar__link" title="Locations and Buildings at Brigham and Women's Hospital on Boston main campus & satellite locations" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/brigham-and-womens-hospital-locations-and-affiliates" target="">Locations</a> </li> <li class="quick-link-bar__item"> <a class="quick-link-bar__link" title="Centers of Excellence, Clinical Departments and Services at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/services" target="">Services</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mobile-nav__panel"> <ul class="mobile-nav__list"> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link mobile-nav__link--arrow" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families" title="Information for Patients and Families" data-menu="menu1">Patients and Families</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link mobile-nav__link--arrow" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-professionals" title="Information for Medical Professionals - Physicians, Nurses and Other Health Professionals" data-menu="menu2">Medical Professionals</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link mobile-nav__link--arrow" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research" title="Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital" data-menu="menu3">Research</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link mobile-nav__link--arrow" title="Quick Links" data-menu="menu4">Quick Links</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link mobile-nav__link--half" href="https://patientgateway.massgeneralbrigham.org/mychart-prd/Authentication/Login?" target="_blank">Patient Gateway</a> <a class="mobile-nav__link mobile-nav__link--half" href="https://physiciangateway.partners.org/securelogin/login.aspx" target="_blank">Physician Gateway</a> </li> </ul> </div> <ul class="mobile-nav__sub-panel" id="menu1"> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--back"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" href="#">Main Menu</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--parent"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Information for Patients and Families" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families">Patients and Families</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="For New and Existing Patients" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/patients">Patients</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="For International Patients" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/for-international-patients">International Patients</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="For Visitors, Families and Caregivers of Patients" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/visitors">Visitors</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/day-surgery">Day Surgery</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/in-hospital-stay">In-Hospital Stays</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/follow-up-care">Follow-up Care</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Resources and Information for Patients" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/patient-resources">Resources</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="mobile-nav__sub-panel" id="menu2"> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--back"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" href="#">Main Menu</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--parent"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Information for Medical Professionals - Physicians, Nurses and Other Health Professionals" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-professionals">Medical Professionals</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Brigham Education Institute for Medical and Health Professionals" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-professionals/brigham-education-institute">Brigham Education Institute</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Information for referring physicians" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-professionals/physicians">For Physicians</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Information for nurses and other health professionals" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-professionals/health-professionals">For Health Professionals</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="mobile-nav__sub-panel" id="menu3"> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--back"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" href="#">Main Menu</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--parent"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research">Research</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/for-bwh-investigators">For BWH Investigators</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/get-involved">Get Involved</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/cores-and-resources">Cores and Resources</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/research-by-department">Research by Department</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/laboratories-and-research-projects">Laboratories and Research Projects</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/research-administration">Research Administration</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/clinical-research">Clinical Research</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="mobile-nav__sub-panel" id="menu4"> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--back"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" href="#">Main Menu</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item mobile-nav__item--parent"> <a class="mobile-nav__link mobile-nav__link--arrow" title="Quick Links">Quick Links</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Centers of Excellence, Clinical Departments & Services" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/services" target="">Departments & Services</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Directions to and Parking at Brigham and Women's Main Campus" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/locations/boston-main-campus-self-parking-and-valet" target="">Directions & Parking</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Access Your Medical Records Online, Transfer Medical Records to BWH, or Obtain Copies of BWH Records" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/patients/medical-records" target="">Medical Records</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Physical Therapy (PT), Rehabilitation Services" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/rehabilitation-services/physical-and-occupational-therapy-rehabilitation-services" target="">Physical Therapy (PT)</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Primary Care Practices at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medicine/general-internal-medicine-and-primary-care/primary-care-practices" target="">Primary Care</a> </li> <li class="mobile-nav__item"> <a class="mobile-nav__link" title="Volunteer at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/volunteer/office-of-sponsored-staff-and-volunteer-services" target="">Volunteer</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <nav aria-describedby="main-nav-title" role="navigation" class="main-nav"> <div id="main-nav-title" class="visually-hidden">Site Navigation</div> <div class="container"> <ul class="main-nav__list"> <li class="main-nav__item"> <a class="main-nav__link" title="Information for Patients and Families" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families">Patients and Families</a> </li> <li class="main-nav__item"> <a class="main-nav__link" title="Information for Medical Professionals - Physicians, Nurses and Other Health Professionals" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-professionals">Medical Professionals</a> </li> <li class="main-nav__item"> <a class="main-nav__link" title="Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research">Research</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </header> <div id="swContainer"> <div id="skipLink"><a href="#mainContent" tabindex="0">Skip to main content</a></div> <div class="globalBanner"> </div> <div class="container"> <div id="siteContent"> <div class="row">  <div class="col-xs-12"> <div class="BreadCrumbs"> <a href="/">Home</a> <span class="separator"></span> <a href="/Conditions/">Health Centers</a> <span class="separator"></span> <a href="/Conditions/Heart/">Heart Disease</a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="contentBody"> <div class="row" id="contentBodyHeader">  <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col-md-4"> <h1 class="contentHeader">Heart Disease</h1> <div class="socialTranslate clearfix"> <div class="translateWrap"> <div id="lang_select_wrap"> <nav data-kswid="translateMenuMainButton" role="navigation" title="Translate" class="megamenu"> <ul> <li> <h2> <a id="lang_select" href="#" title="Translate Options">Translate</a> </h2> <div> <ul> <li data-kswid="translateMenuSpanishButton"> <h2> <a href="/Spanish/">Spanish Content</a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/Spanish/DiseasesConditions/" data-kswid="translateMenuSpanishSubLink">Enfermedades y afecciones</a> </li> <li> <a href="/Spanish/TestsProcedures/" data-kswid="translateMenuSpanishSubLink">Cirug铆as y procedimientos</a> </li> <li> <a href="/Spanish/DrugReference/" data-kswid="translateMenuSpanishSubLink">Medicamentos</a> </li> <li> <a href="/Spanish/VideoLibrary/" data-kswid="translateMenuSpanishSubLink">Videoteca</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="spanishLink"> <div id="spanishLinkWrap"> <a href="/Spanish/">Spanish Content</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col-md-8"> <div id="searchControlMainWrap"> <div id="HealthLibraryButtonContainer"> <div id="HealthLibraryButton" data-kswid="healthLibraryToggle"> <div class="text">Health Library Explorer</div> <div tabindex="0" class="button" role="button" aria-label="Navigation Toggle" title="Health Library Explorer Toggle"></div> </div> </div> <div id="searchControlInnerWrap"> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript"> function Global_ctl06DoSearch() { if (typeof encodeURIComponent != "function") { alert('Your web browser does not support this function. Please upgrade to the latest version of your current browser.'); return; } var searchPhrase = $("#Global_ctl06QuickSearch").promptBox("getValue"); if (searchPhrase.length == 0) { alert('You must enter a search phrase.'); return; } searchPhrase = global.cleanInputString(searchPhrase, " "); document.location.href = '/Search/SearchResults.pg?SearchPhrase=' + encodeURIComponent(searchPhrase) + '&SearchType=text&SearchOperator=And'; } function Global_ctl06KeyCheck(e) { if ((window.event && e.keyCode == 13) || (e.which && e.which == 13)) { Global_ctl06DoSearch(); return false; } return true; } $(function () { $("#Global_ctl06QuickSearch").promptBox( "init", { promptText: 'Search Library' }); }); </script> <div class="SearchBoxWrap" role="search"> <div class="SearchBox"> <label for="Global_ctl06QuickSearch" class="sr-only">Search Library:</label> <input type="text" id="Global_ctl06QuickSearch" name="Global_ctl06QuickSearch" maxlength="200" onkeypress="return Global_ctl06KeyCheck(event)" data-kswid="searchText" class="form-control" tabindex="0"/> <a title="Submit Library Search" class="go" role="button" aria-label="Submit Library Search" href="javascript:Global_ctl06DoSearch();" data-kswid="searchButton"><span class="sr-only">Go</span></a> </div> </div> <label for="AlphabeticalLinks" class="azLabel">Browse A-Z Listings:</label> <span class="AlphabeticalLinks"> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=a" data-kswid="searchLetter">A</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=b" data-kswid="searchLetter">B</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=c" data-kswid="searchLetter">C</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=d" data-kswid="searchLetter">D</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=e" data-kswid="searchLetter">E</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=f" data-kswid="searchLetter">F</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=g" data-kswid="searchLetter">G</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=h" data-kswid="searchLetter">H</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=i" data-kswid="searchLetter">I</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=j" data-kswid="searchLetter">J</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=k" data-kswid="searchLetter">K</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=l" data-kswid="searchLetter">L</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=m" data-kswid="searchLetter">M</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=n" data-kswid="searchLetter">N</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=o" data-kswid="searchLetter">O</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=p" data-kswid="searchLetter">P</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=q" data-kswid="searchLetter">Q</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=r" data-kswid="searchLetter">R</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=s" data-kswid="searchLetter">S</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=t" data-kswid="searchLetter">T</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=u" data-kswid="searchLetter">U</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=v" data-kswid="searchLetter">V</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=w" data-kswid="searchLetter">W</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=x" data-kswid="searchLetter">X</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=y" data-kswid="searchLetter">Y</a> <a href="/Library/Encyclopedia?Letter=z" data-kswid="searchLetter">Z</a> </span> <span> <a class="searchBoxAlphabeticalButton" tabindex="0">A-Z Listings</a> <a class="contactButton" tabindex="0">Contact Us</a> </span> </div> </div> <div class="AlphabeticalLinksContainer clearfix"></div> <div class="ContactUsContainer clearfix"></div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-xs-12">  <div id="HealthLibraryMenuContainer" aria-label="Health Library Menu"> <div class="HealthLibraryMenuSmallContainer"></div> <div class="HealthLibraryMenuFullContainer"> <nav class="megamenu"> <ul id="HealthLibraryMenu"> <li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/">Conditions & Treatments</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/">Adult Health Library</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Allergy/">Allergy and Asthma</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Arthritis/">Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Bone/">Bone Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Breast/">Breast Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Cardiovascular/">Cardiovascular Diseases</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/CompAltMed/">Complementary and Alternative Medicine</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Dermatology/">Dermatology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Diabetes/">Diabetes</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Digestive/">Digestive Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Endocrinology/">Endocrinology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Environmental/">Environmental Medicine</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/EyeCare/">Eye Care</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Gynecological/">Gynecological Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Hematology/">Hematology and Blood Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/HomeHealth/">Home Health, Hospice, and Elder Care</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Infectious/">Infectious Diseases</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Kidney/">Kidney and Urinary System Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Liver/">Liver, Biliary, and Pancreatic Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Men/">Men's Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/MentalHealth/">Mental Health Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/NervousSystem/">Nervous System Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/NonTraumatic/">Non-Traumatic Emergencies</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Oral/">Oral Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Orthopedic/">Orthopaedic Surgery</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Otolaryngology/">Otolaryngology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Pathology/">Pathology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Pediatrics/">Pediatrics</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/PhysicalMed/">Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Plastic/">Plastic Surgery</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Pregnancy/">Pregnancy and Childbirth</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Prostate/">Prostate Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Radiology/">Radiology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Respiratory/">Respiratory Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Skin/">Skin Cancer</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Spine/">Spine, Shoulder, and Pelvis Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Surgical/">Surgical Care</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Travel/">Travel Medicine</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Adult/Women/">Women's Health</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/">Pediatric Health Library</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/AdolescentMed/">Adolescent Medicine</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Allergy/">Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Blood/">Blood Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Burns/">Burns</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Cardiology/">Cardiology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/CareTerminallyIll/">Care of the Terminally Ill</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/ChildMentalHealth/">Child and Adolescent Mental Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/ChildSurgery/">Child Having Surgery</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Craniofacial/">Craniofacial Anomalies</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/CommonInjuries/">Common Childhood Injuries and Poisonings</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Dental/">Dental and Oral Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Dermatology/">Dermatology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Diabetes/">Diabetes Endocrinology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Digestive/">Digestive and Liver Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/EarNoseThroat/">Ear, Nose, and Throat</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/EyeCare/">Eye Care</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/GenitourinaryKidney/">Genitourinary and Kidney Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Growth/">Growth and Development</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/HighRiskNewborn/">High-Risk Newborn</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/HighRiskPregnancy/">High-Risk Pregnancy</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Infectious/">Infectious Diseases</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/MedicalGenetics/">Medical Genetics</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Neurological/">Neurological Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/NormalNewborn/">Normal Newborn</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Oncology/">Oncology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Orthopedic/">Orthopaedics</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Pregnancy/">Pregnancy</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Respiratory/">Respiratory Disorders</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Safety/">Safety and Injury Prevention</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DiseasesConditions/Pediatric/Transplantation/">Transplantation</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/">Tests and Procedures</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/Cardiovascular/">Cardiovascular</a></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/Gastroenterology/">Gastroenterology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/Gynecology/">Gynecology</a></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/LabTests/">Lab Tests</a></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/Neurological/">Neurological</a></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/Orthopaedic/">Orthopaedic</a></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/Pulmonary/">Pulmonary</a></li><li><a href="/Library/TestsProcedures/Urology/">Urology</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/">Prevention Guidelines</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cinfant">Children Ages 0-2</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cchildren">Children Ages 2-18</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cmen1839">Men Ages 18-39</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cmen4049">Men Ages 40-49</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cmen5064">Men Ages 50-64</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cmen65plus">Men Ages 65+</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cwomen1839">Women Ages 18-39</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cwomen4049">Women Ages 40-49</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cwomen5064">Women Ages 50-64</a></li><li><a href="/Library/PreventionGuidelines/43%2Cwomen65plus">Women Ages 65+</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/">Health Centers</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Asthma/">Asthma</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Asthma/Understanding/subTopic.pg">Understanding Asthma</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Asthma/Pulmonary/subTopic.pg">Pulmonary Tests & Procedures</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Asthma/Triggers/subTopic.pg">Controlling Asthma Triggers</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Asthma/Managing/subTopic.pg">Managing Your Asthma</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Asthma/Other/subTopic.pg">Asthma and Other Conditions</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Asthma/YourFamily/subTopic.pg">For Your Family</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/">Cancer</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/About/subTopic.pg">About Cancer</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/Genetics/subTopic.pg">Cancer and Genetics</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/TestsProcedures/subTopic.pg">Cancer Test and Procedures</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/Diagnosis/subTopic.pg">Cancer Diagnosis</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/Nutrition/subTopic.pg">Cancer and Nutrition</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/Treatment/subTopic.pg">Cancer Treatment</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/SideEffects/subTopic.pg">Cancer Treatment Side Effects</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/Living/subTopic.pg">Living With Cancer</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/Specific/subTopic.pg">Specific Cancers</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Cancer/Children/subTopic.pg">Children and Cancer</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/COPD/">Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/COPD/WhatIs/subTopic.pg">What is COPD?</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/COPD/Pulmonary/subTopic.pg">Pulmonary Tests & Procedures</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/COPD/Managing/subTopic.pg">Managing Your COPD</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/COPD/Preventing/subTopic.pg">Preventing COPD</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Diabetes/">Diabetes</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Diabetes/Understanding/subTopic.pg">Understanding Diabetes</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Diabetes/Types/subTopic.pg">Types of Diabetes</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Diabetes/Complications/subTopic.pg">Complications of Diabetes</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Diabetes/Managing/subTopic.pg">Managing Diabetes</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Diabetes/YourFamily/subTopic.pg">Diabetes and Your Family</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/">Heart Disease</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Understanding/subTopic.pg">Understanding Heart Disease</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Cardiac/subTopic.pg">Cardiac Tests & Procedures </a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Conditions/subTopic.pg">Heart Conditions and Diseases</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Women/subTopic.pg">Women and Heart Disease</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Diabetes/subTopic.pg">Diabetes and Heart Disease</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Congenital/subTopic.pg">Congenital Heart Disease</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Rehab/subTopic.pg">Cardiac Rehabilitation</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Managing/subTopic.pg">Managing Heart Disease</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Heart/Preventing/subTopic.pg">Preventing Heart Disease</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/">Neuroscience</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/About/subTopic.pg">About the Brain and Nervous System</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/NeurologicalTP/subTopic.pg">Neurological Tests and Procedures</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/NeurologicalCD/subTopic.pg">Neurological Conditions and Diseases</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/Memory/subTopic.pg">Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/Headaches/subTopic.pg">Headaches</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/Stroke/subTopic.pg">Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/Rehab/subTopic.pg">Understanding Rehabilitation</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Neuroscience/Children/subTopic.pg">Children & Neurological Conditions</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Bariatric/">Obesity and Bariatric Surgery</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Bariatric/Understanding/subTopic.pg">Understanding Obesity</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Bariatric/Problems/subTopic.pg">Obesity and Health Problems</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Bariatric/Treating/subTopic.pg">Treating Obesity</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Bariatric/Surgery/subTopic.pg">Bariatric Surgery</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Bariatric/Lifestyle/subTopic.pg">Lifestyle Changes</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Bariatric/Children/subTopic.pg">Childhood and Obesity</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/">Orthopedics</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Basic/subTopic.pg">Basic Anatomy</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Tests/subTopic.pg">Orthopedic Tests and Procedures</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Conditions/subTopic.pg">Orthopedic Conditions and Disorders</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Arthritis/subTopic.pg">Arthritis and Rheumatic Disorders</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Osteoporosis/subTopic.pg">Osteoporosis</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Fractures/subTopic.pg">Fractures</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Sports/subTopic.pg">Sports Injuries</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Work/subTopic.pg">Preventing Injuries at Work</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Orthopedics/Children/subTopic.pg">Orthopedic Conditions and Children</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/">Pregnancy & Newborns</a><ul> <li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/Prepare/subTopic.pg">Preparing for Pregnancy</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/ChangingBody/subTopic.pg">Your Changing Body</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/FirstTrimester/subTopic.pg">Your First Trimester</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/SecondTrimester/subTopic.pg">Your Second Trimester</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/ThirdTrimester/subTopic.pg">Your Third Trimester</a></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/Tests/subTopic.pg">Pregnancy Tests and Procedures</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/Lifestyles/subTopic.pg">Healthy Pregnancy Lifestyles</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/Complications/subTopic.pg">Pregnancy Complications</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/Labor/subTopic.pg">Labor, Birth, and Postpartum</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/Newborn/subTopic.pg">Your Newborn Baby</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/SpecialCare/subTopic.pg">When Baby Needs Special Care</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Conditions/Pregnancy/Feeding/subTopic.pg">Feeding Your Baby</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/DrugReference/">Drugs, Herbs & Supplements</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/DrugReference/DrugInteraction/">Drug Interaction Checker</a></li><li><a href="/Library/DrugReference/DrugSearch/">Drug Search</a></li><li><a href="/Library/NutritionalSupplements/">Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/NutritionalSupplements/AminoAcids/">Amino Acids</a></li><li><a href="/Library/NutritionalSupplements/Herbs/">Herbs</a></li><li><a href="/Library/NutritionalSupplements/Minerals/">Minerals</a></li><li><a href="/Library/NutritionalSupplements/Vitamins/">Vitamins</a></li><li><a href="/Library/NutritionalSupplements/Other/">Other</a></li><li><a href="/Library/NutritionalSupplements/All/">All</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/">Nutrition & General Wellness</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/Recipes/">Healthy Recipes</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/Recipes/Dietary/">By Dietary Considerations</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/Recipes/Category/">By Food Category</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/NutritionFacts/">Nutrition Facts</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/">Wellness Library</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/Wellness/AtWork/">At Work</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/Behavior/">Behavior</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/Dental/">Dental</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/DiseasesConditions/">Diseases & Conditions</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/Fitness/">Fitness</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/InjuriesEmergencies/">Injuries & Emergencies</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/Nutrition/">Nutrition</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/Parenting/">Parenting</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/Prevention/">Prevention</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/Safety/">Safety</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/TodaysMedicine/">Today's Medicine</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/WeightControl/">Weight Control</a></li><li><a href="/Library/Wellness/YourBody/">Your Body</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/">Your Family</a><ul> <li><a href="/YourFamily/Children/">Children's Health</a><ul> <li><a href="/YourFamily/Children/HealthyChild/subTopic.pg">The Healthy Child</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Children/Healthcare/subTopic.pg">Children and Healthcare</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Children/Emotions/subTopic.pg">Emotions and Behavior</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Children/Concerns/subTopic.pg">Age-Specific Concerns</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Children/Parenting/subTopic.pg">Parenting</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Men/">Men's Health</a><ul> <li><a href="/YourFamily/Men/GoodHealth/subTopic.pg">In Good Health</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Men/HealthIssues/subTopic.pg">Health Issues</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Men/SexualHealth/subTopic.pg">Sexual Health & Reproduction</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Men/SportsInjuries/subTopic.pg">Sports Injuries</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/">Older Adults</a><ul> <li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Living/subTopic.pg">Living Better, Living Longer</a></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Eating/subTopic.pg">Eating Well, Staying Fit</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Prevention/subTopic.pg">Prevention, Self-Care, and Safety</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Medications/subTopic.pg">Using Medications</a></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Concerns/subTopic.pg">Health Concerns: Head to Toe</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Planning/subTopic.pg">Long-Term Planning</a></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Caregiver/subTopic.pg">For the Caregiver</a></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/OlderAdults/Hospice/subTopic.pg">Home Health and Hospice Care</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Women/">Women's Health</a><ul> <li><a href="/YourFamily/Women/WomansJourney/subTopic.pg">A Woman's Journey</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Women/GoodHealth/subTopic.pg">In Good Health</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/YourFamily/Women/HealthIssues/subTopic.pg">Women's Health Issues</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Library/News/">News Center</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/News/FocusonHealth/">Focus on Health</a></li><li><a href="https://www.webmd.com/news/articles" target="_blank">Health News</a></li><li><a href="/Library/News/Newsletters/">Newsletters</a><ul> <li><a href="/Library/News/Newsletters/Cancer/">Cancer Awareness</a></li><li><a href="/Library/News/Newsletters/Chronic/">Chronic Condition News</a></li><li><a href="/Library/News/Newsletters/Child/">For Your Child</a></li><li><a href="/Library/News/Newsletters/Heart/">Heart Care</a></li><li><a href="/Library/News/Newsletters/Men/">Men's Health</a></li><li><a href="/Library/News/Newsletters/Women/">Women's Health</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/">Healthy Living</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/BackandNeck/">Back and Neck Care</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/BackandNeck/Basics/subTopic.pg">Back and Neck Basics</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BackandNeck/Causes/subTopic.pg">Causes of Back and Neck Pain</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BackandNeck/Healthy/subTopic.pg">Keeping Your Back Healthy</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BackandNeck/Dealing/subTopic.pg">Dealing With Back Pain</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BackandNeck/Preventing/subTopic.pg">Preventing and Treating Neck Pain</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BackandNeck/Pregnancy/subTopic.pg">Back Pain and Pregnancy</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/">Blood Pressure</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/Basics/subTopic.pg">Blood Pressure Basics</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/Eating/subTopic.pg">Eating Healthier</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/Exercise/subTopic.pg">Getting Exercise</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/Weight/subTopic.pg">Losing Weight</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/Stress/subTopic.pg">Managing Stress</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/Smoking/subTopic.pg">Quitting Smoking, Limiting Alcohol</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/BloodPressure/Medications/subTopic.pg">Taking Medication</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Cholesterol/">Cholesterol</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/Cholesterol/Understanding/subTopic.pg">Understanding Cholesterol</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Cholesterol/Eating/subTopic.pg">Eating Healthy</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Cholesterol/Weight/subTopic.pg">Managing Weight</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Cholesterol/Exercise/subTopic.pg">Getting Exercise</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Cholesterol/Habits/subTopic.pg">Breaking Bad Habits</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Cholesterol/Medication/subTopic.pg">Taking Medication</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/">Fitness</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/Matters/subTopic.pg">Why Fitness Matters</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/Started/subTopic.pg">Get Started</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/Moving/subTopic.pg">Get Moving</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/Motivated/subTopic.pg">Stay Motivated</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/MakeTime/subTopic.pg">Make Time for Fitness</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/Health/subTopic.pg">Improve Your Health</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/Children/subTopic.pg">Children & Teens</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/Women/subTopic.pg">Women</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Fitness/OlderAdults/subTopic.pg">Older Adults</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/MentalHealth/">Mental Health</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/MentalHealth/Journey/subTopic.pg">During Life's Journey</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/MentalHealth/Common/subTopic.pg">Common Conditions</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/MentalHealth/Support/subTopic.pg">Support and Stability</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Nutrition/">Nutrition</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/Nutrition/Basics/subTopic.pg">Nutrition Basics</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Nutrition/Practices/subTopic.pg">Healthy Practices</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Nutrition/Conditions/subTopic.pg">Nutrition and Health Conditions</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Nutrition/Children/subTopic.pg">Children and Teens</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Nutrition/Pregnant/subTopic.pg">Pregnant Women</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Smoking/">Smoking Cessation</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/Smoking/Facing/subTopic.pg">Facing Up to Smoking</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Smoking/Planning/subTopic.pg">Planning Your Quit Strategy</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Smoking/Step/subTopic.pg">Taking the Big Step</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Smoking/SmokeFree/subTopic.pg">Staying Smoke-Free</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Smoking/Teens/subTopic.pg">Teens and Smoking</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Smoking/Pregnancy/subTopic.pg">Smoking During Pregnancy</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Stress/">Stress Management</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/Stress/Understanding/subTopic.pg">Understanding Stress</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Stress/Keys/subTopic.pg">Keys to Managing Stress</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Stress/Job/subTopic.pg">Stress on the Job</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Stress/Family/subTopic.pg">Stress and Family</a></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/">Weight Management</a><ul> <li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/Action/subTopic.pg">Call to Action</a><ul> </ul></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/About/subTopic.pg">About Weight Loss</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/Nutrition/subTopic.pg">Nutrition</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/Exercise/subTopic.pg">Exercise</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/Behavior/subTopic.pg">Behavior</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/Related/subTopic.pg">Related Health Issues</a></li><li><a href="/Wellness/Weight/ChildrenTeens/subTopic.pg">Children and Teens</a><ul> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul></li><li><a href="/MultimediaRoom/">Tools & Multimedia</a><ul> <li><a href="/InteractiveTools/Calculators/">Calculators</a></li><li><a href="/InteractiveTools/Quizzes/">Quizzes</a></li><li><a href="/InteractiveTools/RiskAssessments/">Risk Assessments</a></li><li><a href="/MultimediaRoom/VideoLibrary/">Video Library</a></li> </ul></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row">  <div class="col-md-12" id="mainContent"> <div> <div class="row" id="innerColumn"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col-md-9" id="contentBodyMain"> <div> <script language="javascript"> var hraWindow = ''; function InitPopup(url, features) { //checks to see if the popup is already open, if so, close if (!hraWindow.closed && hraWindow.location) { hraWindow.close(); } hraWindow = window.open(url,'mypopup',features); if (!hraWindow.opener) hraWindow.opener = self; if (hraWindow.closed) alert("It appears the page you requested is being blocked by pop-up blocking software.\nPlease disable any pop-up blockers to view the page."); hraWindow.focus(); return false; } </script> <script type="text/javascript">  </script> <div class="DisplayContent"> <a id="top"></a> <div> <div class="buct56" data-kswid="articleContent" dir=""> <h1>All About Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines</h1> <p>Healthy lifestyle changes alone may be enough to help some people reach healthy cholesterol levels. Other people will need to take a cholesterol-lowering medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if you need medicine. Work together to find the best option for you. </p> <p>There are 7 main types of medicine: </p> <ul class=""> <li> <p><strong>Statins.</strong> These include atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin. These medicines lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. They typically reduce LDL by about one-third. They can also help raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower triglycerides (other blood fats). Statins slow the body's production of cholesterol. They also increase the liver's ability to remove LDL from the blood. In research on people who already had heart disease, statins greatly reduced heart attacks and heart disease deaths. They may also prevent first heart attacks in people who are at high risk for heart disease. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Bile acid sequestrants.</strong> These include cholestyramine, colesevelam, and colestipol. These medicines also lower LDL, although somewhat less than statins. These medicines bind with bile acids in the intestines and force them to leave the body聽through poop instead of being absorbed into the blood stream. The liver needs cholesterol to make bile acids and important growth and stress hormones. As more bile is lost, more cholesterol from your body is used up to make more bile.聽 </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Nicotinic acid (niacin).</strong> This B vitamin increases HDL and lowers triglycerides when taken at levels higher than needed in the diet. Nicotinic acid is sold as both a prescription medicine and a dietary supplement. But only the prescription form should be used to lower聽cholesterol. Some people don't tolerate the high doses because these medicines cause flushing or a burning or itching sensation. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Fibrates.</strong> These include gemfibrozil and聽fenofibrate. These medicines lower triglycerides. They may also lead to mild improvements in LDL levels. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors. </strong> An example is ezetimibe. This medicine lowers cholesterol by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines. Ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, and nicotinic acid are sometimes combined with a statin to help people reach their LDL cholesterol-lowering levels. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>PCSK9 inhibitors.</strong> These include alirocumab and evolocumab. These newest medicines are injected in the skin and contain antibodies that bind to an important enzyme involved in the removal of LDL from the bloodstream. These medicines may lower LDL levels by almost half and can reduce the risk of heart attack. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Omega 3 fatty acid ethyl esters.</strong> This includes fish oils. This type of medicine is used along with diet and lifestyle to help people lower their triglycerides when the levels are above 500 mg/dL. This type of cholesterol medicine should not be used by anyone with a severe allergy to fish or shellfish due to the risk of a severe reaction. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Bimpedoic acid.</strong> This medicine is for people who can't have statins. </p> </li> </ul> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>Risk factors</h2> <p>Your healthcare provider can help you find out your own risk and if you need medicine to control your cholesterol. Calculating a risk score is done by looking at certain things that are considered an increased risk for atherosclerosis. The risk calculator tool looks at: </p> <ul class=""> <li> <p>Ages between 40 and 79 years</p> </li> <li> <p>Gender</p> </li> <li> <p>Race</p> </li> <li> <p>Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic measurements)</p> </li> <li> <p>Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels </p> </li> <li> <p>History of diabetes</p> </li> <li> <p>Current or past smoking history</p> </li> <li> <p>Treatment for high blood pressure</p> </li> <li> <p>Treatment of cholesterol with a statin medicine</p> </li> <li> <p>Current use of aspirin</p> </li> </ul> <p>If you and your provider are unsure about your risk for developing heart disease, you may have a test to look at the total amount of calcium (plaque) buildup in your arteries. This test is called a coronary artery calcium score (CAC). This is measured using a CT scan. Other blood tests that look at subparticles of cholesterol and other markers for risk of heart disease may also be used. </p> <p>Talk with your healthcare provider about your treatment goals. Know how your cholesterol and other factors affect your risk for heart disease or other complications. Plan to have regular monitoring and report any side effects from the medicines. Sometimes you may need more than 1 medicine to reach your cholesterol goals. Also make sure you understand how to get ready for cholesterol testing. You often need to fast before you have the test. </p> </div> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </div> <div class="source"> <b>Online Medical Reviewer:</b> Callie Tayrien RN MSN <br> <b>Online Medical Reviewer:</b> Rita Sather RN <br> <b>Online Medical Reviewer:</b> Steven Kang MD <br> <div id="Global_MainContent_LeftColumn_ctl02_pnlReviewDate"> <b>Date Last Reviewed:</b> 9/1/2023 <br /> </div> <div id="Global_MainContent_LeftColumn_ctl02_pnlCopyrightStatement"> 漏 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3" id="contentBodyAside"> <div id="C2AContainer"> <div id="UpperTextContainer" data-kswid="callToActionTitle"> <input type="hidden" id="searchPhraseC2AHidden" value=""/> <span>Contact Our Health Professionals</span> <div class="C2AAboutTextContainer"></div> </div> <div id="ButtonContainer"> <a target="_blank" href='https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/' data-kswid="callToActionLink" class="btn btn-info" role="button" title="Find a Doctor">Find a Doctor</a> <a target="_blank" href='https://www.brighamandwomens.org/forms/request-an-appointment' data-kswid="callToActionLink" class="btn btn-info" role="button" title="Request an Appointment">Request an Appointment</a> <a target="_blank" href='https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/brigham-and-womens-hospital-locations-and-affiliates' data-kswid="callToActionLink" class="btn btn-info" role="button" title="Locations">Locations</a> <a target="_blank" href='https://www.brighamandwomens.org/services' data-kswid="callToActionLink" class="btn btn-info" role="button" title="Services">Services</a> </div> <div id="SocialContainer"> <span class="FollowUs">Follow Us</span> <div class="socialIcons"> <a target="_blank" href='https://www.facebook.com/BrighamandWomensHospital/' title='Follow Us on Facebook' data-kswid="callToActionMedia"><img class="SocialImage" src='_Images/ico_facebook.png' alt="" /></a> <a target="_blank" href='https://twitter.com/brighamwomens' title='Follow Us on Twitter' data-kswid="callToActionMedia"><img class="SocialImage" src='_Images/ico_twitter.png' alt="" /></a> <a target="_blank" href='https://www.youtube.com/c/brighamwomenshospital' title='Follow Us on You Tube' data-kswid="callToActionMedia"><img class="SocialImage" src='_Images/ico_youtube.png' alt="" /></a> <a target="_blank" href='https://brighamhealthhub.org/' title='Follow Us on HealthHub' data-kswid="callToActionMedia"><img class="SocialImage" src='_Images/ico_healthhub.png' alt="" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="GlobalAdmin"> </div> <div> <div class="SideBar"><div id="Global_MainContent_RightColumn_ctl02_ServicelineKeywords" class="ServicelineLinks"> <h3>Related Services</h3> <div class="content"> <div class="category"> <h4>Specialties</h4> <ul> <li class="item"><a id="Global_MainContent_RightColumn_ctl02_DocList_ctl00_HyperLinkItem" href="https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/?interests=29109&specialties=7" onclick="trackOutboundLink('physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/?interests=29109&specialties=7');" target="_blank">Cardiology-Clinical and Diagnostic</a></li> <li class="item"><a id="Global_MainContent_RightColumn_ctl02_DocList_ctl01_HyperLinkItem" href="https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/?specialties=7" onclick="trackOutboundLink('physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/?specialties=7');" target="_blank">Cardiovascular Center</a></li> <li class="item"><a id="Global_MainContent_RightColumn_ctl02_DocList_ctl02_HyperLinkItem" href="https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/?interests=29022&specialties=7" onclick="trackOutboundLink('physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/?interests=29022&specialties=7');" target="_blank">Cardiology</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="CategorySeparator"></div> <div class="category"> <h4>Services</h4> <ul> <li class="item"><a id="Global_MainContent_RightColumn_ctl02_Repeater1_ctl00_HyperLinkItem" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/departments/preventive-medicine/division-of-preventive-medicine" onclick="trackOutboundLink('www.brighamandwomens.org/research/departments/preventive-medicine/division-of-preventive-medicine');" target="_blank">Preventive Medicine</a></li> <li class="item"><a id="Global_MainContent_RightColumn_ctl02_Repeater1_ctl01_HyperLinkItem" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/heart-and-vascular-center" onclick="trackOutboundLink('www.brighamandwomens.org/heart-and-vascular-center');" target="_blank">Cardiovascular Center</a></li> <li class="item"><a id="Global_MainContent_RightColumn_ctl02_Repeater1_ctl02_HyperLinkItem" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medicine/cardiovascular-medicine/overview" onclick="trackOutboundLink('www.brighamandwomens.org/medicine/cardiovascular-medicine/overview');" target="_blank">Cardiovascular Medicine</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="CategorySeparator"></div> <div class="CategorySeparator"></div> </div> </div> <div class="RelatedDocuments"> <h3>Related Items</h3> <div class="content" id="acc"> <div class="category"> <h4 class="switch"> Tests and Procedures</h4> <ul> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/167,cholesterol' title="Cholesterol"> Cholesterol</a> </li> <hr class="separator" /> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/167,hdl_cholesterol' title="HDL Cholesterol"> HDL Cholesterol</a> </li> <li class="more"> <a href="/RelatedItems/RelatedDocuments.pg?d=&TypeId=56&ContentId=2822&Category=Tests">View All 6</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="CategorySeparator"> </div> <div class="category"> <h4 class="switch"> Articles</h4> <ul> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/56,2822' title="All About Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines"> All About Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="CategorySeparator"> </div> <div class="category"> <h4 class="switch"> News</h4> <ul> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/88,p10918' title="6 Health Screenings to Help Men Prevent Disease"> 6 Health Screenings to Help Men Prevent Disease</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="CategorySeparator"> </div> <div class="category"> <h4 class="switch"> Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements</h4> <ul> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/19,BrewersYeast' title="Brewer's Yeast"> Brewer's Yeast</a> </li> <hr class="separator" /> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/19,Flaxseed' title="Flaxseed"> Flaxseed</a> </li> <li class="more"> <a href="/RelatedItems/RelatedDocuments.pg?d=&TypeId=56&ContentId=2822&Category=HVS">View All 4</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="CategorySeparator"> </div> <div class="category"> <h4 class="switch"> Interactive Tools</h4> <ul> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/40,CholesterolArteriesQuiz' title="Cholesterol Quiz"> Cholesterol Quiz</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="CategorySeparator"> </div> <div class="category"> <h4 class="switch"> Videos</h4> <ul> <li class="item"> <a href='/Conditions/Heart/138,W1164' title="Getting Your Cholesterol Tested"> Getting Your Cholesterol Tested</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row">  <div class="col-md-12"> <div id="contentFooter"> <div> <span class="powered">Powered by</span> <a href="http://staywell.com/"> <img src="images/poweredby_SW.png" alt="StayWell" title="StayWell" data-kswid="footerLogo" /> </a> </div> <div data-kswid="footerCopyright" class="copyright"> Copyright © <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript"> var today = new Date() var year = today.getFullYear() document.write(year) </script> The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted. </div> <a href="/About/" data-kswid="footerAbout">About StayWell</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="#" class="scrollUp" title="Scroll to top"><i class="fa fa-chevron-circle-up"></i></a> </div> <div class="footer"> <div class="row"> <div class="social-bar component"> <div class="container"> <div class="social-bar__wrapper"> <div class="social-bar__table-cell"> <p class="social-bar__content"> <span>Stay Informed.</span>  <span>Connect with us.</span>  </p> </div> <div class="social-bar__table-cell"> <ul class="social-bar__list"> <li class="social-bar__item"> <a class="social-bar__link" alt="Like BWH on Facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brigham-and-Womens-Hospital/43361098740"> <svg class="social-bar__icon"> <desc>Facebook</desc> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#social-fb"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="social-bar__item"> <a class="social-bar__link" alt="Follow BWH on X (formerly Twitter)" href="https://twitter.com/BrighamWomens" target="_blank"> <svg class="social-bar__icon"> <desc>X (formerly Twitter)</desc> <use xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#social-tw"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="social-bar__item"> <a class="social-bar__link" alt="Instagram at BWH" href="https://www.instagram.com/brighamandwomens/?hl=en"> <svg class="social-bar__icon"> <desc>Instagram</desc> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#social-ig"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="social-bar__item"> <a class="social-bar__link" alt="Subscribe to BWH's YouTube Channel" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Brighamandwomens"> <svg class="social-bar__icon"> <desc>YouTube</desc> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#social-yt"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="social-bar__item"> <a class="social-bar__link" alt="BWH on LinkedIn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/brigham-and-women%27s-hospital"> <svg class="social-bar__icon"> <desc>LinkedIn</desc> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#social-ln"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="social-bar__item"> <a class="social-bar__link" alt="Newsroom at BWH" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/newsroom/overview"> <svg class="social-bar__icon"> <desc>Newsroom</desc> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="/assets/BWH/core/spritesheets/vector.spritesheet.svg#social-news"></use> </svg> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer role="contentinfo" class="footer__main row"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer__contact"> <img id="" src="/assets/BWH/core/sprites/vectors/bwh-logo.svg" alt="Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="" class="footer__logo" /> <div class="footer__contact-info"> <p class="h3">Brigham and Women's Hospital</p> <hr class="footer__contact-bar"/> <address>75 Francis Street, Boston MA 02115</address> <a class="footer__contact-link" href="tel:617-732-5500">617-732-5500</a><span class="footer__link-border"></span><a class="footer__contact-link" title="" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/" target=""></a><a title="Contact Brigham and Women's Hospital" class="footer__contact-link" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/forms/contact-bwh-important-phone-numbers">Contact Us</a> <div > <p> General Information: <a href="tel:617-732-5500">617-732-5500</a> </p> <p> New Patients: <a href="tel:800-294-9999">800-294-9999</a> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer__links"> <nav class="footer__column"> <h3 class="footer__column-title">CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE</h3> <ul class="footer__list"> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Cancer Center of Excellence" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/cancer-center" target="">Cancer Center</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Heart and Vascular Center" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/heart-and-vascular-center" target="">Heart & Vascular Center</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="The Lung Center" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/lung-center" target="">The Lung Center</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Neurosciences Center" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/neurosciences-center" target="">Neurosciences Center</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Orthopaedic and Arthritis Center" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/orthopaedic-and-arthritis-center" target="">Orthopaedic & Arthritis Center</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Primary Care Center of Excellence" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/primary-care-center" target="">Primary Care Center</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Women's Health Center of Excellence" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/womens-health" target="">Women's Health Center</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav class="footer__column"> <h3 class="footer__column-title">Clinical Departments</h3> <ul class="footer__list"> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/anesthesiology-perioperative-and-pain-medicine" target="">Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Dermatology Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/dermatology" target="">Dermatology</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Emergency Medicine Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/emergency-medicine" target="">Emergency Medicine</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Department of Medicine" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/department-of-medicine" target="">Medicine</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Neurology Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/neurology" target="">Neurology</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Neurosurgery Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/neurosurgery" target="">Neurosurgery</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obstetrics-and-gynecology" target="">Obstetrics and Gynecology</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Orthopaedic Surgery Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/orthopaedic-surgery" target="">Orthopaedic Surgery</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Pathology Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/pathology" target="">Pathology</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Pediatrics Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/pediatrics" target="">Pediatrics</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/physical-medicine-and-rehabilitation" target="">Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Psychiatry Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/psychiatry" target="">Psychiatry</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Radiation Oncology Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/radiation-oncology" target="">Radiation Oncology</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Radiology Clinical Department" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/radiology" target="">Radiology</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Department of Surgery" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/surgery" target="">Surgery</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav class="footer__column footer__column--qlinks" > <h3 class="footer__column-title">Quick Links</h3> <ul class="footer__list"> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="About Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-brigham-and-womens-hospital" target="">About BWH</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Careers at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/careers" target="">Careers</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="COVID-19 Information" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/covid-19" target="">COVID-19 Information</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Education & Training for Medical Professionals at BWH" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-professionals/brigham-education-institute" target="">Education & Training</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Make a Charitable Gift to Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="http://bwhgiving.org/mainsitefooter" target="_blank">Giving</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Health Information" href="https://healthlibrary.brighamandwomens.org/" target="">Health Information</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="News at Brigham and Women's Hospital" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/newsroom/overview" target="">News</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Centers of Excellence, Clinical Departments and Patient Services A-Z" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/services-a-to-z" target="">Services A-Z</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </footer> <div class="footer__bottom row"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer__partners"> <a target="_blank" alt="Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital" href="https://hms.harvard.edu/"> <img id="" src="/assets/BWH/core/images/hms-320-150.png" alt="Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital" href="https://hms.harvard.edu/" class="footer__partner-logo"/> </a> <a target="_blank" alt="Mass General Brigham" href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/"> <img id="" src="/assets/BWH/core/images/2mgb-320x150.png" alt="Mass General Brigham" href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/" class="footer__partner-logo"/> </a> </div> <div class="footer__legal"> <nav class="footer__utility"> <ul class="footer__util-list"> <li class="footer__item"> © <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript"> var today = new Date() var year = today.getFullYear() document.write(year) </script> Brigham and Women's Hospital </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Accessibility" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/locations/boston-main-campus-accessibility" target="">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Medical Resources A-L" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-resources/medical-resources-a-l" target="">Resources A-L</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Medical Resources M-Z" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medical-resources/medical-resources-m-z" target="">Resources M-Z</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Website Disclaimer" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/disclaimer" target="">Disclaimer</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Organized Health Care Arrangement Notice" href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/notices/organized-health-care-arrangement" target="_blank">Organized Health Care Arrangement Notice</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Patient Privacy (HIPAA) Notice" href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/notices/hipaa" target="">Patient Privacy Notice</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Website Privacy Policy" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/privacy" target="">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="footer__item"> <a class="footer__link" title="Sitemap" href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/bwh-sitemap" target="">Sitemap</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script src="responsiveControls.js"></script> </form> <script src="HealthLibraryMenu.js" type="text/javascript" ></script> <script src="/Scripts/GlobalEvents-1.0.js" type="text/javascript" ></script> <script src="/Scripts/callToAction-1.0.js" type="text/javascript" ></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

All About Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines