(BPT) – Pam and her husband always lived a very busy lifestyle, even in retirement. They spent their time boating, fishing and enjoying the company of their children and grandchildren. Pam couldn’t wait to watch her grandchildren grow up, go to college and become successful in life. She assumed that because she avoided unhealthy habits, she could accomplish that goal, until the day she received her high cholesterol diagnosis, and everything changed.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — Pam is among more than 93 million American adults with high cholesterol.i Knowing her family’s history of heart disease, Pam did not take her diagnosis lightly. Shocked and scared of becoming another statistic, she dedicated herself to healthier lifestyle choices. She began to follow a strict heart-healthy diet and began to exercise more regularly.
Despite her lifestyle change and best efforts, each year Pam’s cholesterol levels continued to rise. Finally, her doctor recommended a statin to aid in lowering her cholesterol levels, because for some people, like Pam, a healthy diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to reduce cholesterol to healthy levels. Statins work by reducing the cholesterol levels made by the liver and by helping remove cholesterol that’s already in the blood.ii
Statin therapy can be a critical part of achieving lower cholesterol levels, in addition to healthy diet and regular exercise. Statins are proven to help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.ii In fact, approximately 38.6 million Americans are taking statins, with over 1/4th of Americans over 40 currently on a statin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).iii
However, among patients prescribed a statin, studies indicate that more than half of them stop taking that statin within the first year, often without discussing it with their doctors.iv This can be incredibly dangerous, as high cholesterol doesn’t have any physical symptoms but is a major risk factor for heart attack or stroke — and then it may be too late.v
It’s important to keep an open dialogue with your doctor about your experience taking your statin medication. Many do not know that there are multiple statin options available and they aren’t all the same.iv How someone responds to a statin can vary from person to person. Individual factors may include medical history, other ongoing medications or supplements, age, and ethnicity.vi
Pam began taking her statin and has been on it ever since. She says that it has given her the extra help she needed to lower her cholesterol levels into a healthy range where they’ve remained! She has continued to keep an active lifestyle and is able to focus on her family and doing the things she enjoys.
High cholesterol can be managed with the right treatment plan, but it’s vital to work with your doctor to find a statin that’s best for your unique needs. Hear more about Pam’s story and learn more about LIVALO® (pitavastatin) and how it can help you lower your cholesterol at LivaloRx.com.
Important Safety Information for LIVALO® (pitavastatin) tablets
What is LIVALO?
Who should NOT take LIVALO?
LIVALO is not right for everyone. Do not take LIVALO if:
What is the most important information I should know and talk to my doctor about?
What are the most common side effects of LIVALO?
The most common side effects of LIVALO in clinical studies were:
This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store and take LIVALO?
Other important information I should know about LIVALO.
For additional information please see the full Prescribing Information or visit www.LivaloRx.com.
© Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. (2021) – LIV-RA-0142 PI of 09/2020
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i Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020;141(9):e139–e596.
ii American Heart Association. Cholesterol Medications. http://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia/cholesterol-medications. Accessed January 12, 2021
iii Gu Q, Paulose-Ram R, Burt VL, Kit BK. Prescription cholesterol-lowering medication use in adults aged 40 and over: United States, 2003–2012. NCHS data brief, no 177. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2014.
iv Cohen JD, Brinton EA, Ito MK, Jacobson TA. Understanding statin use in America and gaps in patient education (USAGE): an internet-based survey of 10,138 current and former statin users. J Clin Lipidol. 2012;6:208-215.
v American Heart Association. What is Cholesterol? http://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol. Accessed January 12, 2021.
vi Mayo Clinic. Statins: Are these cholesterol-lowering drugs right for you? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772. Accessed January 12, 2021.