What are the treatments for the condition?

Anyone with this condition should speak to a healthcare provider about treatment. This disease responds to diet changes and weight loss. A low-fat, low-calorie diet and exercise are advised. Reducing other coronary risk factors is important. It is wise to avoid smoking and obesity. Any high blood pressure, and diabetes should be treated.

The following conditions may worsen the cholesterol level, and should be avoided or treated:

Treatment usually requires medication, often with more than one type of medication. Examples of medication used include bile acid resins, statins, and niacin.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Because the liver makes cholesterol, most of the medications that treat cholesterol may affect the liver. For this reason, someone taking medications to lower cholesterol often needs periodic liver function tests.

Specific side effects vary by the medication, but may include:

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Treatment is generally required for life.

How is the condition monitored?

Repeated checks of the cholesterol level in the blood are done to see how well the treatment is working. Someone taking cholesterol-lowering medications will need periodic liver function tests. Chest pain or pressure or shortness of breath should be reported to a healthcare provider right away. This may be a sign of a heart attack.