What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol). Cholesterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all tissues, and it is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. Because cholesterol is synthesized by all eukaryotes, trace amounts of cholesterol are also found in membranes of plants and fungi.The name originates from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, as researchers first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones by Francois Poulletier de la Salle in 1769. However, it is only in 1815 that chemist Eugene Chevreul named the compound "cholesterine".[2]Most of the cholesterol is synthesized by the body and some has dietary origin. Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain. It plays a central role in many biochemical processes, such as the composition of cell membranes and the synthesis of steroid hormones. Cholesterol is insoluble in blood, but is transported in the circulatory system bound to one of the varieties of lipoprotein, spherical particles which have an exterior composed mainly of water-soluble proteins. The main types, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) carry cholesterol from and to the liver.According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia) and abnormal proportions of LDL and HDL are associated with cardiovascular disease by promoting atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). This disease process leads to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and peripheral vascular disease. As high LDL contributes to this process, it is termed "bad cholesterol", while high levels of HDL ("good cholesterol") offer a degree of protection. The balance can be redressed with exercise, a healthy diet, and sometimes medication.

blood pressure and heart attacks
High blood pressure and heart attack information from iVillage
Read about high blood pressure, or hypertension, and heart attack risks at iVillage Total Health.com.

Consumer Reports Health - ACE Inhibitors
For high blood pressure â” benazepril, enalapril, and lisinopril; For heart failure â” enalapril, captopril; After a heart attack â” lisinopril

High Blood Pressure & Heart Attack
High blood pressure can be an important contributing factor to heart attack. There are many reasons for this, and understanding the links between high blood

High Blood Pressure
In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure

What Are High Blood Pressure and Prehypertension?
The higher the diastolic blood pressure the greater the risk for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. As people become older, the diastolic pressure

What Is High Blood Pressure?
With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.

High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease: Health Topics: University
Damaged arteries greatly increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and atherosclerosis. Blood pressure of less than 120 systolic and less

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis
The key complications of high blood pressure include heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, peripheral artery

Heart Attack: Warning Signs and Tips on Prevention -- familydoctor.org
Control your blood pressure if you have hypertension. Talk to your doctor about whether aspirin would help reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs - HealthCentral.com
Information on heart attack warning signals and heart attack symptoms. Learn how a heart attack is Alternating Very low and high blood pressure

Heart Attack (myocardial infarction) by MedicineNet.com
We applied oxygen and took a blood pressure reading that was relatively normal. A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is the death of


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