Heart Attack or myocardial infarction occurs due to lack of blood flowing to the heart causing its tissue to malfunction and if not recovered, this tissue may die. The usual occurrence of heart attack is when the arteries are blocked with buildup cholesterol, which prevents the blood from circulating as they narrow the passageway for the blood.
Heart attack is a process that if not treated immediately can cause continuous deprivation of blood, which later deteriorates many heart tissues.This can lead to death of the patient. According to William R. Davis, people having higher level of LDL (about 134 mg/dl) cholesterol, total cholesterol (HDL ratio) have a fifty percent chance of dying (Davis, p. 44). He stated further that, “the higher the cholesterol the greater the likelihood of heart attacks in the future” (Davis, p.
44). Thus, a person with this problem must be given preventive means of controlling its occurrence. Drug therapy aside from healthy lifestyle is seen today as one of the effective ways of preventing heart attack; the use of Lipitor and Zetia play an important role since they are one of the most prescribed drugs given by doctors to patients.Based on studies conducted on the effectiveness of using Lipitor, it has been proven that this cholesterol-lowering medication is efficient in preventing heart attack. However, intake of Zetia if combined with atorvastatin (generic name for Lipitor) could produce higher level of effectiveness in controlling cholesterol in the body.
In fact, many doctors would recommend the use of these drugs to patients having severe cardio-vascular diseases in prevention of possible heart attack.Though both drugs treat elevated LDL cholesterol, their treatment and contraindications vary because of diverse chemical components; their accurateness depends on the physical condition of the person. How Lipitor Works in Patients with Heart Illness Lipitor (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) is a cholesterol-lowering drug while Zetia is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. Zetia and other similar drug are prescribed in case taking a statin does not lower the patient’s level of cholesterol.
It is given also for patient who is susceptible to adverse effects of statin drugs.Roger Blumenthal and Simeon Margolis noted that the importance of using Lipitor to lower the cholesterol level of patients. They mentioned that among many types of statin drugs, Lipitor is the most recommended by doctor because studies have proven its effectiveness. According to them, patients taking Lipitor after two years of treatment have been observed “lowered their LDL cholesterol levels to 62mg/dL, on average had a 16% lower risk of heart attacks, unstable angina, angioplasty, stroke, or death” (p. 51). Lipitor is a brand name for atorvastatin that prevents cholesterol from building up around blood vessels.
It helps in reducing LDL cholesterol (or low-density lipoprotein) and total cholesterol in the blood, through which, a higher chance for controlling heart attack is. likely to observe. Lipitor as a statin reacts to the body in such a way that it lowers triglyceride levels and increase HDL cholesterol levels. Triglyceride is responsible in metabolism as energy source and transporters of dietary fat, which is linked to atherosclerosis, and in effect, the risk of heart disease and stroke. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol is considered good cholesterol that cleans out excess cholesterol around the walls of blood vessels.Aside from that, it also works by interfering with or inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is crucial for the liver’s production of cholesterol.
Inhibitors of this enzyme will reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease by blocking the formation of cholesterol by the body along with the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Meggs and Svec (2004) also explained how Lipiton works in the body. According to him, “statins lower the level of C-reactive protein in a person’s blood” (p. 189).
CRP is a marker of inflammation and is known to be elevated in patients with unstable coronary artery disease.When CRP is reduced, inflammation is also reduced as well as the risk of having heart attack. How Zetia Works if Combined with Lipitor Zetia or Ezetimibe is a drug that has a unique mechanism of action. Anand Ramachandran explained that this drug inhibits cholesterol absorption by enterocytes of the small intestine that leads to a decrease of LDL and triacylglycerol levels (Ramachandran, p. 224).
Physicians may prescribe the use of Zetia alone for patients who have less severe high cholesterol or in patients who cannot tolerate statins due to side effects or drug interactions.Though Zetia can be used alone, if combined with a statin the effect can lower total C by twenty-five percent more than a statin alone. Thus, the combination may allow a smaller dose of statin medication, which could lower the potential for serious statin side effects (Hoffman, 2005, p. 55). Hoffman explained that as statin drugs lower cholesterol levels by blocking its production in the body, Zetia lowers cholesterol levels by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine.Since both of these drugs work in different ways, they easily minimize the cholesterol build up in the body.
However, in terms of side effects, Zetia has mild side effects such as back pain, joint pain, or diarrhea (Hoffman, p. 55). Drug Medication and Lifestyle in Lowering Cholesterol Level Medication alone cannot effectively lower level of cholesterol in the body. Doctors advised their patients to take this medicine with proper diet called a Cholesterol-lowering diet plan that consists of food with lower cholesterol; except grapes and grape juice.
Due to the drug’s contraindications, the patient is advised to avoid drinking alcohol because it only increases the level of triglyceride, which can cause to damage your liver. Meggs and Svec (2004) emphasized in his book that aside from taking statin in controlling the LDL cholesterol level of the body, another way of doing it is by “altering the diet and other lifestyle factors that regulate the amount of cholesterol in the blood” (p. 41). Improving one’s lifestyle is now considered effective in lowering inflammation.Good diet may control inflammation (the spread of plaque in the heart arteries); statins reduce its marker in the blood, which means that it “blocks inflammation and inhibit several steps involved in the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque” (p.
189). The author noted that people with elevated LDL cholesterol or CRP level should do everything to lower those markers through diet and exercise (p. 189). But diet and exercise do not help lower the levels, they may consider taking statins for they save lives daily. However, these people must see their doctors before using this medication.How to Use the Medicine Before using the medicine, a patient may interact with the doctor regarding his physical conditions since statins are not advisable for patients with diabetes, liver disease, allergies to statins, pregnant, and breast-feeding mothers.
Wait until the doctor allows you to use the drug. This medicine is not sold over-the-counter. During the period of administration, the patient must monitor current effect of the medicine to his body. He has to monitor on regular basis his blood pressure, muscle problem, recent stroke, severe infections, and other uncontrollable occurrence in the body.To effectively get the desired result, the patient must follow closely the directions given to him including the dietary plan. Keep all laboratory and visiting appointments to monitor progress.
It is also advisable that people taking this medicine to avoid driving or to operate machines for it is very dangerous since they many experience dizziness. Lipitor and Zetia are recommended by most doctors in preventing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel blockage, or chest pain caused by angina.They are prescribed because they contain elements that lower the LDL cholesterol, Total-C, and CRP levels. They are also good in maintaining good cholesterol in performing in our body. Despite its effectiveness, Lipitor and Zetia may develop side effects on their patients, which is why, a cholesterol-lowering diet plan is recommended by doctors before prescribing the pills.
However, if symptoms persist, the doctor may consider giving the medicines to the patients. In effect, patients may experience side effects.
