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According to the American Heart Association, more than 1 million Americans will suffer a heart attack this year, and about 40 percent of those individuals will die. Fortunately, several lifestyle changes can help improve heart health. Good nutrition habits, regular exercise, stress reduction and smoking cessation are recommended by the American Heart Association as the first line of defense in preventing cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is a condition due to the build-up of fatty substances and in result, the arteries become hardened and narrowed. Heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and ischemia may be the result of atherosclerosis. There are many remedies for treating atherosclerosis. One example is drug therapy. There are several drugs available. Niacin (nicotinic acid) decreases plasma LDL levels most probably by inhibiting LDL production. Hepatic cholesterol synthesis is also inhibited. HDL levels are increased due to a decreased break down of HDL. The clotting protein fibrinogen is decreased and the "clot buster" tissue plasminogen activator is increased, both of which may be important in limiting clot formation at plaques. Side effects include vasodilation at the skin and sensation of warmth, nausea, abdominal discomfort, rashes or dry skin. Even though it is a vitamin it can have some serious side effects at cholesterol lowering dosages. Statins are currently the most powerful cholesterol lowering drugs available. They include atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin. They lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood while increasing the HDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is considered the "good cholesterol" because it transports cholesterol to the liver where it can be degraded.
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