Question:

I'm on high cholesterol medication. Is there something else I can do to control my cholesterol?

Answer from Express Scripts Canada Pharmacist, Alan Strashok:

It’s important to remember why your doctor is prescribing a medication. In the case of anti-cholesterol drugs called statins, they are used to lower cholesterol levels, but more importantly, they may also be used to lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Ideally, an overall health plan will address not only cholesterol, but many other risk factors, including:

• high blood sugar and diabetes;
• high blood pressure; and
• body weight.

With a firm understanding that reducing risk is the real goal, there are a number of other changes you can make to help you get there.

Consult your physician as to whether these suggestions may be advisable for you:

• Regular exercise. For adults, experts recommend at least 30 minutes, 5 times a week of moderate to vigorous exercise. It should make you sweat a bit.
• Eat right. Most of us don’t eat the right mix of foods. You should try to eat 7 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
• Reduce your stress. There are many ways to do this. Yoga, meditation, a walk in the park. Choose what works best for you.

I hope these suggestions are helpful. Best of luck.