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 check at home
Pfizer Community Health Advocacy - Healthcare Information
No matter what steps you take, ask your doctor if you should check your blood pressure at home. It could help you and your doctor better understand your

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring -- Should I Check My Blood Pressure
Many patients wonder if they should be checking their blood pressure at home. Explore the pros and cons of this issue and learn why home blood pressure

High blood pressure: Get the most out of home monitoring
If your blood pressure is well controlled, you may need to check it at home only a few days each month. If you're just starting home monitoring,

Measuring blood pressure - accurate readings with home blood
When you first start measuring your blood pressure at home, you will probably check it twice a day, morning and evening. This may go down to once a day and

Learn to check your blood pressure at home - Yahoo! Health
Home blood pressure monitoring can help your self-care efforts.

Monitor Blood Pressure - monitor high or low blood pressure properly.
You may have been advised to measure your blood pressure at home in order to get a more accurate record or your readings or just want to keep a check on

Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home -- 22 (1): 32 -- Clinical
Why should I check my blood pressure at home? Checking at home can show you how well you are controlling your blood pressure. It can also help you see how

Health and Beauty - Home Aide Heart Check Digital Wrist Blood
Description: Features of the Home Aide Heart Check Digital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor: Rapid measurement: only 30 seconds. High accuracy.

Medical clinics expanding care to needy - USATODAY.com
Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread. Newspaper Home Delivery - Subscribe Today

Blood Pressure Explained
If your blood pressure is â˜normalâ™ and you have no personal or family history of high blood pressure, a check every two years and during routine visits to

Howstuffworks "Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure"
Learn the home remedies to fight high blood pressure, and reduce the chance Oftentimes you can even find blood pressure check booths at your local mall

Home - Blood Pressure Profiler Tracking Software
PageRank Check page rank. Home Page. Our software is designed to measure and track blood pressure accurately, using statistical analysis.

Check Your Blood Pressure At Home, Do-It-Yourself Kit Helps
A new study shows that testing blood pressure at home gives a better picture than testing in a doctor's office. Dr. Richard Stein explains how to

DHDSP - High Blood Pressure Home Page
Therefore, it is important for you to know your blood pressure level and to check it regularly. Find out more on this Web site about blood pressure and

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
You also can check your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure measurement device, or monitor. It is important that you understand how to use the

Monitoring your blood pressure at home
Home blood pressure monitoring provides a measurement of a person's blood . I should check my blood pressure while I am seated in a comfortable position.

Blood Pressure Monitors: advice on accurate blood pressure monitors
To access the current British Hypertension Society list of Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Devices for Home use click here. I check Web sites regularly for

Home Blood Pressure Test
A home blood pressure test allows you to keep track of your blood pressure at home. Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood inside an artery.

Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home -- familydoctor.org
Information about home blood pressure monitoring from the American Academy of Check the blood pressure reading by looking at the pointer on the dial.


blood pressure check at home
blood pressure machine review
blood pressure lower number
blood pressure reading scale
blood pressure cuff on