Get Support From Those Around You
What Is a Support System?
A support system is made up of the people who look out for you, such as friends and family. These people can play a very important role in helping you stay healthy. They can help by giving you the support you need to reach your cholesterol goals and keep up a healthy lifestyle.
How Can a Support System Help You?
The people who care for you can help you by:
- Encouraging you to stay on track as you work toward your cholesterol and heart-health goals
- Talking to you about how you can improve your lifestyle (how to achieve lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and a healthier weight) as a team effort
- Helping you understand the importance of following your treatment plan
- Exercising or eating healthy with you
- Sharing recipes that are made with heart-healthy foods
- Supporting your efforts to quit smoking
- Going with you to doctor visits (both to help tell the doctor your health information and to help you understand the instructions your doctor gives you)
Are You Part of a Support System?
Husbands, wives, partners, friends, family, and neighbors are all important members of a patient's support system.
Working as part of this team, you can be a very powerful advocate. You can be a much needed cheerleader—to help inspire someone to get started on a heart-healthy plan, or to keep them on track.
By taking on this role, you might be the inspiration someone near you needs to make important lifestyle changes.
If you are supporting someone in their journey to better heart health, you may need to help them speak with their doctor on their behalf. Be prepared. Help them fill out these Questions for the Doctor.
LIPITOR is not for everyone. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment and may adjust your dose.
Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.