Medication Treatment versus Non-Medication Treatment

Everyone is unique. Depending on your level of risk for cardiovascular disease and your cholesterol, blood pressure and/or blood glucose levels, your doctor will outline treatments that are appropriate for you.

If your risk of cardiovascular disease is not very high, your doctor may suggest that you begin with lifestyle changes. For example, the Canadian cholesterol guidelines recommend that people with high cholesterol levels who are at low or intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease begin by making lifestyle changes such as eating less saturated fat and starting an exercise program. The Canadian Hypertension Education Program included similar recommendations regarding lifestyle changes for people with high blood pressure.

In addition to lifestyle changes, becoming smoke-free is also recommended as a way to help lower your risk, and if you do smoke, this site will explore different options you have to help you quit.

If you are at high risk of cardiovascular disease, your doctor may begin medication treatment right away, along with lifestyle changes, to get your risk factors under control. Talk to your doctor to learn your own risk level.

Available Medical treatments will be detailed throughout this site in specific sections for each risk factor.

For more information and tips on making lifestyle changes to manage cardiovascular risk factors and improve overall heart health, visit the Improving Lifestyle section.