Let’s Talk About Cholesterol

Emily Lundstrom, R.Ph., Pharm.D.

Melissa Kalb, RD, LDAugust 8, 2007

Outline

• Discuss the different types of cholesterol

• Identify healthy cholesterol levels• Provide an overview of

medications used to treat abnormal cholesterol levels

• Discuss options for a low cholesterol diet

What is cholesterol?• Fat-like, waxy substance• Cholesterol comes from two sources

• The food you eat and your liver

Why do we need cholesterol?

• Some is needed for bodily functions• To make cells and some hormones

• Too much cholesterol• Clogs arteries • Causes heart attack or stroke

Types of Cholesterol

• LDL Cholesterol-”Lousy” Cholesterol

• HDL Cholesterol-”Happy” Cholesterol

• Triglycerides

• Which is the most important?• LDL • HDL & Triglycerides are a close 2nd and 3rd

LDL—The “Lousy” Cholesterol

• Contributes to build up of fat deposits in arteries

• Decreases blood flow to the heart

• Want this to be low• Lowered by diet, exercise, and most

medications

HDL—The “Happy” Cholesterol

• Helps carry “bad” cholesterol away from arteries to liver

• The higher the better!

• How can you raise your HDL?• Exercise• Some medications help• Eating properly may help

Triglycerides• Most common type of fat in the body• Comes mostly from diet Things that increase triglycerides

What Level of Cholesterol is good?

• Total cholesterol <200• Triglycerides <150• HDL—”Happy” Cholesterol >40• LDL—”Lousy” Cholesterol <100?

* LDL goal depends on other health conditions or risk factors

Medications

• “Statins”• Bile acid binders• Nicotinic acid (“Niacin”)• Fibric Acids• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors• Fish Oil

“Statins”

• Lipitor® (atorvastatin)

• Zocor® (simvastatin)*

• Pravachol® (pravastatin)*

• Crestor® (rosuvastatin)

• Lescol® (fluvastatin)*

• Mevacor® (lovastatin)**Indicates generic

available

“Statins” LDL Triglycerides HDL

• Well tolerated• Could experience headache,

constipation, stomach cramps or gas• A small number of patients experience

muscle pain or weakness• Will require liver tests• Most need to be taken before bed

Bile Acid Binders

• LDL Triglycerides HDL

• Mix powders with water, juice, or food• Space from other medications• Side effects:

• Constipation, nausea, gas

• Questran® (cholestyramine)*

• Colestid® (colestipol)

• Welchol® (colesevelam)*Indicates generic

available

Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)

HDL Triglycerides LDL

• Vitamin B3

• May cause flushing and itching

• Take with food

• Niacor®*, Niaspan®*, Slo-Niacin®* OTC *Indicates generic

available

Fibric Acids

Triglycerides HDL LDL

• Take with food• Side effects:

• Nausea, diarrhea, constipation

• May cause muscle pain or weakness

• Lopid® (gemfibrozil)*

• Tricor® or Triglide®

(fenofibrate)*Indicates generic available

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

• Zetia® (ezetimibe)• Stops cholesterol

absorption from food• Does not have to be taken with food• Often combined with a “statin”

LDL• Side effects:

• headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea

Fish Oil

Omacor®

• Rx only• FDA Approved• $$ Expensive $$* Now called

Lovaza®

Omega-3 Supplement

• Over-the-counter• Not FDA Approved• Inexpensive

Triglycerides

Two-In-One

• Combination medications available:• Vytorin®

• (simvastatin + ezetimibe)

• Advicor® • (lovastatin + Niaspan)

• Pravigard PAC®• (pravastatin + aspirin)

References

• American Heart Association. Accessed at http://www.americanheart.org

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

• Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III. JAMA. 2001; 285:2486-97.

References

• Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Merz CN et al. Implications of recent clinical trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Circulation. 2004; 110: 227-39.

Low Cholesterol Diet

Melissa Kalb, RD, LD

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC)

• Limit saturated fats and trans fats• Limit cholesterol• Eat more omega-3 fats• Monitor total fat intake• 25-35 grams of fiber per day• Include meat alternatives• Weight loss• Exercise

Saturated Fats

• Generally from animal or dairy sources• Also from coconut and palm oils

• Items to limit = marbled meat, poultry skin, bacon, sausage, whole milk, cream, butter

Trans Fats

• Process that turns an unsaturated (healthier fat) into saturated fats

• Items to limit = stick margarine, shortening, some fried foods, and packaged foods made with hydrogenated oils

Cholesterol

• TLC goal = 200 milligrams per day• American Heart Association = 300

milligrams per day

• Items to avoid – egg yolks, fatty meat, whole milk, cheese, shrimp, lobster, and crab.

Omega-3 Fats

• These fats may help to reduce your risk of heart disease

• Good sources = salmon, tuna, mackerel, walnuts, canola soybean and flaxseed oil.

Total fat intake

• 25% to 35% of total calories• Including heart-healthy fats

Fiber• Goal = 20 – 30 grams per day• Soluble fiber – helps to lower LDL

(“bad”) cholesterol• Sources: oats, beans, peas, citrus fruits,

strawberries, apple pulp• Insoluble fiber – helps to decrease

your cardiovascular risk• Sources: whole wheat bread, wheat

cereals, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, apple skin

Meat Alternatives

• Meat and cheese can be high in saturated fats

• Items to try = soy burgers, and beans in casseroles

Weight Loss and Exercise

• Following lifestyle changes

• Speak with your health care team to determine an exercise plan

Healthy Lifestyle and Medication• Do I need to follow a healthy

lifestyle if I am taking my medication?

Questions???

Emily Lundstrom, Pharm.D.emily.lundstrom@osumc.edu

Chris Green, Pharm.D.christopher.green@osumc.edu

Melissa Kalb, RD, LDmelissa.kalb@osumc.edu