Does Atorvastatin Helps to Lower Cholesterol And High Blood Pressure?

Cholesterol

It is the most important factor that affects the blood pressure. Cholesterol is made up in the liver and it is of two types called as high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL).

LDL

It is known as the “bad cholesterol” and the HDL is known as the good cholesterol. This is because the LDL cholesterol gets deposited on the inner walls of the arteries and causing hardening of the arteries. This results in the narrowing of the arteries causing them to exert more pressure on the flow of blood resulting in high blood pressure. If the flow of blood to the heart gets blocked, it results in chest pain or angina. If the blood supply of a portion of a heart gets blocked it results in the heart attack and if the blood supply gets blocked for the brain, it may cause stroke.

The main culprit is the LDL or the bad cholesterol which can easily flow from one place to another along with blood. When LDL gets deposited on the inner walls of the arteries it grows in size and can be detached and travel from one place to another causing blockage. The LDL is mainly prepared in the liver and a very small portion of it is absorbed through the diet. The HDL or the good cholesterol helps to keep away the LDL or bad cholesterol from building up inside the arteries. There is cholesterol number to describe the amount of cholesterol present in the blood. So if the HDL cholesterol number is 40 then you might be at a risk of heart attack. If the HDL cholesterol number is greater than 60, then it is good for your heart.

There are several drugs available for the treatment of high blood pressure. In the treatment of high blood pressure it is very important to lower the levels of cholesterol. There is a group of medication known as “statins” which helps to lower cholesterol level in the blood. The statins group includes lovastatin, simvastain, fluvastatin and pravastatin. Amongst all these statins, Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the one drug which is largely used to lower cholesterol level in the blood. Atorvastatin is the active constituent of generic Lipitor. Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) works by blocking the production of HMG Co-A reductase enzyme that makes cholesterol. Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) also reduces the amount of triglycerides in the blood and helps to increase the amount of good cholesterol i.e. HDL. The dosage of generic Lipitor for lowering the cholesterol is 10 to 20 mg per day. The maximum dosages of Generic Lipitor (atorvastain) can be given up to 80 mg.

Though Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) helps to reduce the cholesterol in the blood it has some mild side effects too. The side effects of Generic Lipitor include constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, headache, skin rash and itching, fatigue, muscle pain and painful or frequent urination. These side effects of Generic Lipitor (atorvastain) last for some time and gets disappeared once your body gets adjusted with the drug. Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) also have contraindications. The contraindications of Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) include hypersensitivity to atorvastatin. Generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) contraindications are pregnancy and lactation.