Private MD News

Cholesterol medication no substitute for lifestyle changes

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Advances in medications have made it easier than ever for individuals who have received unhealthy cholesterol test results to control their condition and enjoy a high quality of life. However, some medical professionals warn that over reliance on these medications may cause many patients to remain less healthy than they could be.

Dr. Vincent Bufalino, president and chief executive of Midwest Heart Specialists and a spokesman for the American Heart Association, told HealthDay News that if individuals aren’t getting exercise and improving their diet, statin medications will only provide a minimal benefit.

"Once we became a fast-food generation, it's just too easy to order it at the first window, pick it up at the second window and eat it on the way to soccer," Bufalino told the news source. "We need to get you to change now or you're going to end up as one of these statistics."

While statins have been seen as a miracle drug by some, experts at the Mayo Clinic say they are not for everyone. Instead, they say that lifestyle changes should be considered before starting any medicine.