Women Should Act On High Cholesterol Threat - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Nov, 1999

While high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease have the reputation of being "men's diseases," they actually pose a greater risk to women than all cancers combined. According to the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, females who have high cholesterol and can't control it through diet and exercise might want to consider a call to their doctor about a statin or other cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Statins aren't the only cholesterol-lowering drugs available, but they are proving to be the most effective. They work by blocking a key enzyme that the liver needs to make cholesterol. They may also help protect against stroke, possibly making artery walls healthier.

Statins are generally safe and well-tolerated by most people. Common side effects such as headache, abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence, and diarrhea tend to be mild. These drugs are expensive, however, and must be taken for years. Accordingly, before using drugs to help prevent cardiovascular disease, women should modify their diet, exercise regularly, and lose weight if needed. Controlling high blood pressure and diabetes and stopping smoking are other factors that can help prevent heart disease.