A healthy lifestyle is the first defense against high cholesterol. But sometimes diet and exercise aren't enough. You might also need to take cholesterol medications to help:

• Decrease your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease
• Decrease your triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood that also increases the risk of heart disease
• Increase your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol that offers protection from heart disease

Your doctor might suggest a single drug or a combination of cholesterol medications. Here's an overview of the pros and cons for common classes of cholesterol medications.

In many people, the muscle pain often associated with statins may not actually be caused by the drug. In studies where participants don't know if they're getting a statin or a placebo, muscle pain is a common complaint in both groups. It appears that the expectation of the side effect makes it more likely to occur.

Most cholesterol medications lower cholesterol with few side effects, but effectiveness varies from person to person. It's also still important to follow a healthy diet and get enough exercise. Cholesterol medications and lifestyle choices can work together to help reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke.