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Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. Although it is normal and necessary for us to have, high levels can increase the risk of heart conditions.
Lifestyle factors, such as a diet high in saturated fat, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking can all contribute to high cholesterol levels.
Treatments commonly used to lower LDL cholesterol.
There are a number of factors which may contribute to someone having high levels of LDL. These include a diet high in saturated fat, with an excess of red meat, processed food and full-fat dairy products. Obesity or a lack of exercise can also be a cause, as can familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), which is a genetic disorder which causes higher levels independently of lifestyle. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels can also be increased by excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. While narrowing of the arteries is more likely to occur with age in everybody, men are statistically more prone to high levels than pre-menopausal women.
The reason why cholesterol is sometimes categorised into 'good' and 'bad', is because we all need certain levels of lipids (fatty substances which comprise cholesterol) in our blood stream in order to produce certain hormones. It is transported through the bloodstream through proteins, which when combined with cholesterol is known as a lipoprotein.
There are two types of lipoproteins. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) carries the cholesterol from the cells to the liver, where it is broken down and passes through the body. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries it from the liver to the cells. The problem is that when the cells don't need to use all the cholesterol in the blood stream, it will build a wall in the arteries leading to poor circulation which can cause heart attack and stroke.
If your doctor has conducted a blood test and concluded that your levels of cholesterol are high, it is important that you lower it in order to avoid any further complications.
If it begins to store in the arterial walls, it will restrict the flow of blood to your heart, brain and other organs, increasing your chances of blood clots, coronary heart disease, angina or stroke.
There are two main ways in which it can be lowered: through lifestyle changes and prescription medication. Lifestyle changes are usually the first option and can be highly effective in lowering levels of LDL. However, for many cases medication should be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes.
Patients who are overweight will be advised to lose weight through a healthy diet and increased exercise regime. These changes can also apply to patients of a healthy weight who lead a sedentary lifestyle or eat a lot of saturated fats. In addition, you will be advised to limit your alcohol intake and avoid smoking.
In addition to these changes, certain statin medications are often prescribed to people with high levels of LDL or cardiovascular disease when lifestyle changes alone fail to reverse the condition. Some of the most common statins include Simvastatin, Fluvastatin and Atorvastatin.
121doc is able to prescribe statins (medication to lower LDL levels) to patients whose cholesterol has been diagnosed as high and for whom lifestyle changes alone have failed to help with the condition.
You will need to complete an online consultation so that medical professionals can ensure that the medication you have selected will be safe and effective for you. You will then be issued a prescription and your order will arrive within 24 hours thanks to our free overnight delivery system.
Our consultations include general questions about your health (e.g. blood pressure levels, current and past conditions), as well as specific questions related to your selected treatment. We will also request relevant personal information to complete payment and delivery.
All questions are necessary, and your answers and details will not be shared with any third-parties. Only our doctors have access to your medical information.
It is a legal and medical requirement that a doctor first reviews all completed consultations. We have a team of in-house doctors and specialists who will ensure your selected treatment is safe for your use. All information is stored securely and confidentially.
Please note, we do not guarantee that our doctors will approve treatment.
Your consultation will be sent directly to our medical team, where it will be reviewed by one of our doctors.
If your chosen treatment is deemed suitable for your use, they will issue a prescription. Your prescription is then forwarded to our pharmacy, where your medication will be dispensed and dispatched for courier delivery.
Yes. All 121doc orders include a medical consultation, a prescription and next-day delivery. There are no additional costs. We believe in providing a safe and easy-to-use service.
Yes. However, certain medications may negatively interact with each other. Our doctors may not approve your order on this basis.
You can place multiple items in one basket, and complete a consultation for all.
If you wish to place a second order for a different medication, you will have to complete a separate consultation.
We offer several delivery options:
All these options can be tracked and require a signature on delivery. If you are not available, a friend or relative can sign in your place.
None of these options will incur an additional charge.
To ensure you are purchasing from a reputable company, you should look to see their country’s regulatory bodies verify them.
In the UK, this is the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).Certificates can be viewed here.
Some treatments also offer the 'Advise Me' function. You will be asked questions about your lifestyle and needs, plus medical questions. You will then be presented with the advice of our doctors.
Our patients’ privacy is of utmost importance. All your medical information is securely stored and only viewed by our doctors. We do not share your details with third-parties. We are also regularly inspected by various UK regulatory agencies, such as the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
All orders will only show on invoices, bank statements, etc. as ‘HHC Ltd’.