{"product_id":"paul-d-thompson-questions-about-cholesterol-treatment-30","title":"Cholesterol treatment: questions to ask 30","description":"\u003ch1\u003eCholesterol-Lowering Medication: How Long, How Low, and Side Effects\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eJump To Section\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#most-frequent-question\"\u003eThe most frequent patient question\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#questions-to-ask\"\u003eQuestions patients should ask\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#full-transcript\"\u003eFull Transcript\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"most-frequent-question\"\u003eThe most frequent patient question\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow long they will stay on the medication is what patients ask most often, cardiologist Dr. Paul D. Thompson, MD, tells Dr. Anton Titov, MD. Many expect it to work like an antibiotic for a sore throat: two weeks, then done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"questions-to-ask\"\u003eQuestions patients should ask\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatients on a cholesterol-lowering medication should ask how low their cholesterol level should go, Dr. Thompson says. That depends on risk: the riskier the patient, the lower the level. They should also ask what to do if side effects develop. Generally, he says, patients will not have an important side effect, although some look for a problem with just about every medication he gives them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"full-transcript\"\u003eFull Transcript\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Anton Titov, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Professor Thompson, what are the top two or three questions patients ask you? What are the questions patients should ask (but often don't)?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e The biggest question that patients ask me is how long they are going to stay on the drug. A lot of patients think it is like being treated with an antibiotic. You are going to do it for two weeks for your sore throat or your urinary tract infection, and you are going to be done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e That is the most important question. I think that is the most frequent question. I think the question that patients should ask once they are on a cholesterol-lowering drug is, 'How low should I get my cholesterol level?' That, of course, depends on how risky that patient is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e The riskier the patient, the lower you want to get the cholesterol level. I think the other question is, what should they do if they develop side effects? Will they have an important side effect that will interfere with their using the medication?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally, patients will not, although some patients will look for a problem, and they look for a problem with just about every drug that I give them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Diagnostic Detectives Network","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48388780130460,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/5449\/5644\/files\/2225162623-fed797c00530afab81a2503825ace49b3e2734be17c7136eb8b7ea727ab6bcc7-d_1920x1080_1619ad6b-93ea-4581-8fea-6438aca82561.jpg?v=1794435525","url":"https:\/\/diagnosticdetectives.com\/he\/products\/paul-d-thompson-questions-about-cholesterol-treatment-30","provider":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}