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 risk
Even Mildly Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure Increases Risk of
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- People with only mildly elevated systolic blood pressure have a high risk of stroke similar to those with significantly raised systolic or

Coffee drinkers at risk for high blood pressure - Heart health
The likelihood of having to start drug treatment to control high blood pressure, or hypertension, seems to be increased among coffee drinkers.

Blood pressure risk to children from high salt diets | Science
Higher salt diets in children lead to raised blood pressure which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke in later life, according to a study based

Beat Your Risk - High Blood Pressure
According to recent estimates, nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people

Low blood pressure and risk of dementia in the Kungsholmen project
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported a higher prevalence of dementia in persons with low blood pressure. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether low blood

Comparison of Blood Pressure-Associated Risk of Intracerebral
We measured blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in 100 147 men and 59 558 women 35 to 59 years of age in 1990 and 1992.

Painkiller Risk: High Blood Pressure
The most widely used medicines in the world -- over-the-counter pain drugs -- raise a person's risk of high blood pressure, a study shows.

Control of blood pressure and risk of first acute myocardial
Objective : To analyse the relation between treated blood pressure and concomitant risk factor and morbidity from acute myocardial infarction.

High blood pressure quiz: Are you at risk? - MayoClinic.com
High blood pressure is dangerous. Find out if you're at risk.

High Blood Pressure Associated With Risk For Mild Cognitive Impairment
High blood pressure appears to be associated with an increased risk for mild cognitive impairment, a condition that involves difficulties with thinking and

Top 10 High Blood Pressure Risk Factors
An important step in understanding and evaluating your risk of developing high blood pressure is to know what elements contribute to this risk.

High blood pressure ups risk of mental decline | Health | Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with a history of hypertension (high blood pressure) appear to be at increased risk of developing mild cognitive

Tips to Control High Blood Pressure
Below is a list of high blood pressure risk factors. People with any of these risk factors should have their blood pressure checked every time they visit

High Blood Pressure Risk
From Harvard Men's Health Watch comes this tool that can help you to evaluate your high blood pressure risk. If you are a man over the age of 40 you might

MedlinePlus: High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Quiz: Are You at Risk?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research); High Blood Pressure Quiz: Is Your Hypertension under Control

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Patient UK
Having high blood pressure is one of several 'risk factors' that can increase your chance of As a rule, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk.

Am I at Risk?
If you're an adult and your blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or above, you have hypertension and are at higher risk for heart disease, stroke and other

High Blood Pressure Health Risk Calculator
Enter your blood pressure numbers to understand your health risks and more.

Blood pressure and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus
Blood pressure and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Women's Health Study. David Conen1,*, Paul M Ridker1,2,3, Samia Mora1,2,


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