it is my understanding that you do have to take long term - if you go off the meds your cholesterol is going to go back up - unless you can make lifestyle changes to address but it sounds like yours is more genetic (family history). here are the recommended lifestyle changes that i found on webmd: eat foods with less fat saturated fat and cholesterol. take off the skin and fat from meat poultry and fish. eat food that has been broiled baked roasted or poached instead of fried. eat lots of fruits and vegetables everyday. eat lots of cereals breads rice and pasta made from whole grains such as whole wheat bread or spaghetti. get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise everyday. talk to your doctor about the safest and best ways for you to exercise. lose weight if you are overweight. stop smoking. take your high blood cholesterol medication as prescribed by your doctor. here's the original article: <link> hope this helps.
query about taking statins. dear webmd. i am 46 little over weight but a good exerciser and total vegetarian. even than my cholestrol remains high. my doctor prescribed lipirex 10 mg per day. usually around one week my values come down well within normal. after that i usually stop medication on my own. on rechecking after about a month the values are back to high again. do i have to take the medication for life? i have no heart disease but a strong family history of heart disease. . thanks. faisal