In addition to changing your diet and taking your cholesterol treatment, regular exercise is a smart choice that will help you feel better physically and mentally, while also helping to lower your bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise your good cholesterol (HDL). The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends doing regular, moderate-intensity activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.1
1Start slowly. If you haven't been active in a while, start slowly. Begin with a short walk or low-impact activities such as yard work. Don't try to do more than you can handle. You can begin to increase the intensity of your activities when you feel able to do so.
2Make time. "No time" is one of the biggest reasons many people give for not being more active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, which can be broken into three 10-minute segments during the day. Take a short walk in the morning, at lunchtime, and in the evening. Take the stairs or take a walk during work breaks.
3Exercise together. Exercising with someone else can help you stick with your routine and make it more fun. You will feel less likely to skip your routine when you know someone is counting on you.
4Vary activities. Changing activities can help you stay motivated. Take your bicycle out twice a week instead of walking. Buy several exercise tapes, so when one becomes too familiar, you can switch to another. Try a Pilates or yoga class, even if it's once a week, to stay interested in moving.
5Just walk. Walking is an inexpensive, simple, but effective, way to get fit. Take a walk in your neighborhood, at a local school track, around a nearby mall, or around a local golf course.
6Dress comfortably. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and rubber-soled shoes. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear layers, so you don't overheat as you work up a sweat.
7Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout, so you don't get dehydrated.
If you haven't liked exercising before, now is the time to challenge past beliefs. If everything you eat counts toward overall cholesterol health, so does everything you do. Plus, in addition to helping lower LDL levels and blood pressure, exercise is believed to:
Uses for SIMCOR® (niacin extended-release/simvastatin)
SIMCOR is used when treatment with simvastatin alone or niacin extended-release alone is not enough, and when a low-fat diet and exercise alone have not been successful.
SIMCOR is a prescription medication that is used along with diet to lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides, and to increase HDL "good" cholesterol in people with abnormal cholesterol levels.
No additional benefit of SIMCOR on heart disease over and above that shown for simvastatin alone and niacin alone has been demonstrated.
Important Safety Information for SIMCOR
SIMCOR is not for people with liver problems, stomach ulcers, or serious bleeding problems; for women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing; or for those allergic to any product ingredient.
Contact your health care provider about any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, as this may be a sign of a serious but rare muscle disorder, from which rare cases of death may occur. This risk is increased when SIMCOR is taken with certain types of medications.
Tell your health care provider about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and nutritional supplements.
SIMCOR contains extended-release niacin. All forms of niacin are not the same. SIMCOR should not be substituted for immediate-release niacin, as severe liver damage can occur.
SIMCOR is associated with increases in liver enzymes. Your health care provider should do blood tests before and during treatment with SIMCOR to check for liver problems. SIMCOR should be used with caution if you drink large amounts of alcohol or have a history of liver disease.
SIMCOR may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check blood sugar levels more frequently during the first few months of SIMCOR use.
Tell your health care provider if you have a history of kidney problems or gout. SIMCOR may cause an increase in uric acid levels.
Women of childbearing age should use an effective method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while using SIMCOR. If you are pregnant, stop SIMCOR and contact your health care provider.
Flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin) is a common side effect that may subside after several weeks of consistent use. Flushing may vary in severity and is more likely to occur when starting therapy or during dose increases. If you take SIMCOR at bedtime, flushing will most likely occur during sleep. If flushing wakes you up, take your time getting up, especially if you feel dizzy or faint, or if you take blood pressure medications.
Other common side effects include headache, itching, nausea, back pain, and diarrhea.
For more information, talk with your health care provider.
Please click here (http://rxabbott.com/pdf/simcor_pi.pdf) for full Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you cannot afford your medication, contact: www.pparx.org or call the toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) for assistance.