Whether it's a first prescription for CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin calcium) or you or a loved one has already been taking it for a while, you probably have some questions. Take a look at a few common questions below to see if we can provide an answer.
Please remember that a doctor and pharmacist are the best sources of information on cholesterol and the slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time (a disease called atherosclerosis) for your specific situation.
Simply click on an option below to display a full list of questions relating to that topic.
- Q. Where does cholesterol come from?
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A. Cholesterol is produced by the liver. It's also found in foods high in saturated fat, like fatty meats, egg yolks, shellfish, and whole-milk dairy products.
- Q. What makes cholesterol good or bad for your health?
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A. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream packaged inside a protein called a lipoprotein. There are two kinds of lipoproteins that are important when discussing cholesterol — LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” because too much of it in the bloodstream can contribute to the slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time. HDL cholesterol is considered "good" because it helps return cholesterol to the liver, where it can be eliminated from the body.
- Q. How does LDL cholesterol contribute to health problems?
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A. If you or a family member has too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream, it can contribute to the slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time. For many people, this buildup starts in early adulthood and gets worse over time.
- Q. How does medical history relate to managing cholesterol?
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A. Ask a doctor to be sure. If the doctor has told you or a family member that cholesterol management is especially important, it could mean that you or your family member has one or more additional health factors that make it even more likely that high cholesterol can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
These health factors include things like high blood pressure, personal or family history of early heart disease, smoking, and age — over 45 for men and over 55 for women. Some diseases, such as diabetes, may call for close cholesterol management. Be sure to talk to your doctor for more information about personal medical history and if it affects cholesterol management goals.
- Q. How do I find out what cholesterol numbers mean?
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A. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) publishes general cholesterol guidelines, but based on your individual situation, your doctor may recommend something more specific. Take a look at the general NCEP guidelines for cholesterol, and then talk to your doctor about your specific goals.
- Q. How can my loved one or I lower cholesterol?
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A. Living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a diet that is low in saturated fats and cholesterol and staying active most days of the week, may help lower cholesterol. It also may be able to help in the management of other health factors associated with the slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time. When diet and exercise alone aren't enough, your doctor may add a cholesterol-lowering medicine. Learn more about living a healthy lifestyle.
- Q. What is plaque buildup?
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A. Plaque is the fatty deposits and other cells that can build up slowly in the walls of your arteries over time. One major cause is high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Other health factors, such as a family history of early heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and being overweight, can also play a role. If you or a loved one has high cholesterol, plaque buildup may be something to be concerned about. The good news is that some of the health factors, such as diabetes, being overweight, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, can be managed.
- Q. What are some common lifestyle changes that can help in the management of health factors?
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A. Most doctors agree that living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and staying active, is one of the most important things you can do. If you smoke, you should try to quit immediately. Last but not least, every plan should start by talking with your doctor. Learn more ways to stay active.
- Q. Can you tell me more about bruits, the ankle/brachial index, and how they are used to indicate the slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time?
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A. One way your doctor can look for signs of plaque buildup is by placing a stethoscope on your neck, abdomen, or leg to listen to your arteries during a physical exam. Your doctor is listening for bruits (pronounced brew-ees), which are faint whooshing noises caused by the turbulence of blood rushing through restricted arteries.
Another way your doctor can check for signs of plaque buildup involves taking blood pressure at the ankle and arm. This technique is called the ankle/brachial index.
During your next office visit, don't be afraid to ask your doctor about these techniques.
- Q. Can CRESTOR help slow the gradual buildup of plaque in the arteries?
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A. Along with diet, CRESTOR, the same medicine that lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol, has been proven to slow plaque buildup in the arteries as part of a treatment plan to lower cholesterol levels to goal. Ask your doctor if CRESTOR is right for you.
- Q. Why did my doctor prescribe CRESTOR for me or my family member?
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A. CRESTOR is prescribed for patients who need to manage high cholesterol and who have not had success managing it through diet and exercise alone. It can also help slow the gradual buildup of plaque in the arteries as part of a treatment plan to lower cholesterol levels to goal.
- Q. How will I know if CRESTOR is working?
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A. The only way to know whether CRESTOR is working is to have a follow-up fasting lipid profile, also known as a cholesterol test. Ask your doctor about how soon you should be retested.
- Q. How soon should results be expected with CRESTOR?
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A. People can have different responses to the same medicine, so your results may vary. Ask your doctor how soon you should return for a follow-up fasting lipid profile. Do not stop taking CRESTOR unless your doctor tells you to. Do not take CRESTOR if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. CRESTOR may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking CRESTOR and call your health care professional right away.
- Q. Is CRESTOR a substitute for eating healthy and staying active?
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A. No. When taking CRESTOR, you should continue eating well and staying active. Follow a diet that's low in saturated fat and cholesterol and work on staying active at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Learn more about eating healthy.
- Q. Do I still need to take CRESTOR when I reach my cholesterol goal?
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A. Certain people may need to manage their high cholesterol closely because of their medical history or other health concerns, and they need to take medications like CRESTOR as long as their doctor prescribes it to keep their cholesterol in check. It's important to discuss your medical history and other health issues with your doctor, so that he or she can recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
As with all prescription medications, it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice. Do not stop taking CRESTOR unless your doctor tells you to. Do not take CRESTOR if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. CRESTOR may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking CRESTOR and call your health care professional right away.
- Q. What should I do if my loved one or I accidentally miss a dose of CRESTOR?
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A. CRESTOR should be taken regularly, as prescribed by a doctor. If a dose is accidentally missed, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.