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 guidelines new
Revised Blood Pressure Guidelines Put Millions in New Category
Under new National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines, blood pressure readings are regarded as normal only if they are lower than 120 over 80.

NIH/NHLBI News Release--NHLBI Issues New High Blood Pressure
The guidelines include new data on U.S. control, awareness, and treatment rates for high blood pressure. According to a national survey, 70 percent of

Blood Pressure Guidelines - High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) and
The key messages in the new guidelines include the following:. In persons older than 50 years a systolic, or upper, blood pressure of more than 140 mm Hg is

Diabetes Education and Research Center: New Blood Pressure
New Blood Pressure Guidelines Prove Challenging. A new study in the January issue of Diabetes Care found that the more aggressive guidelines for treatment

New clinical guidelines for blood pressure released - Findings
The new report changes the former blood pressure definitions. Typically, blood pressure measurements are stated as, for example, 120 over 70.

The new blood pressure guidelines: A digest -- GLICK 135 (5): 585
Glick M. New guidelines for prevention, detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure. JADA 1998;129:1588â“94.

Practice Guidelines - July 15, 2003 - American Family Physician
68/No. 2 (July 15, 2003) · American Family Physician. Practice Guidelines. NHLBI Releases New High Blood Pressure Guidelines. Genevieve W. Ressel

New Hypertension Guidelines Fail To Improve Blood Pressure Control
Despite the publication of increasingly aggressive guidelines for lowering blood pressure in people with diabetes, this condition remains substantially

NIH Press Release - New High Blood Pressure Guidelines Released by
New physician guidelines for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure were released today by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

The Seattle Times: Health: New blood-pressure guidelines pay off
Then a medical panel published new guidelines for treating high blood pressure, and her doctor tried her on three different pills.

New high blood pressure guidelines say start early, treat aggressively
New recommendations for tighter control of high blood pressure may drastically reduce the number of individuals who die each year from hypertension-related


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