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 measurement
Amazon.com: Omron HEM-432C Manual Inflation Blood Pressure Monitor
Amazon.com: Omron HEM-432C Manual Inflation Blood Pressure Monitor: Health & Personal Care.

Amazon.com: Omron HEM-780 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor with
Amazon.com: Omron HEM-780 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor with ComFit Cuff: Health & Personal Care.

Blood Pressure Monitors - blood pressure monitor, omron
Blood pressure monitors - portable wrist models, models with printers, heavy duty floor models and digital blood pressure monitors from Omron, LifeSource,

blood pressure measurement
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Additional Resources .

DHDSP - About High Blood Pressure
Some blood pressure testing devices are now electronic and provide digital readouts of the blood pressure measurement and pulse rate.

Monitor Blood Pressure - monitor high or low blood pressure properly.
Blood pressure monitors: learn how to accurately measure blood pressure.

Blood pressure measurement
Most people have had their blood pressure taken at some time. It is a simple and painless procedure that gives a lot of useful information about the heart

Blood pressure: A chart explaining your blood pressure reading
Blood pressure readings are grouped into four categories. This chart explains the readings.

Blood Pressure Measurement: Recommendations of the BHS
Blood Pressure Measurement. Recommendations of the British Hypertension Society. Don't forget the "ABC of hypertension" series in the BMJ April 2001 Issues

Video Tutorial
The first section of this tutorial is a video of blood pressure measurement. (Warning, this file is 44MB in size and may take a while to download!)

Blood pressure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arterial blood pressure (BP) is most accurately measured invasively. Invasive arterial pressure measurement with intravascular cannulae involves direct

Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home -- familydoctor.org
Because the digital monitor is automatic, it is the most popular blood-pressure measuring device. The blood pressure measurement is easy to read,

Blood Pressure Testing and Measurement
The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. Your doctor or another qualified health professional should

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Blood pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the To obtain your blood pressure measurement, your health care provider will wrap

ABC of hypertension: Blood pressure measurement -- O'Brien et al
Why then has home measurement of blood pressure failed to achieve the success and popularity of home urinalysis in diabetes?

ABC of hypertension: Blood pressure measurement -- Beevers et al
The measurement of blood pressure in clinical practice by the century-old technique of Riva-Rocci/Korotkoff is dependent on the accurate transmission and

Recommendations for Blood Pressure Measurement in Humans and
Part 1: Blood Pressure Measurement in Humans: A Statement for Professionals From the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart

VascularWeb: Ankle Blood Pressure Measurement ABI
For the ABI, your physician measures your blood pressure in your ankle and in your arm. Your physician will compare the two numbers to determine your ABI.

3. Blood pressure measurement
The greatest circumference of the upper arm is measured, with the arm relaxed and in the normal blood pressure measurement position (antecubital fossa at


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