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 measuring
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 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

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

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

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?

Measuring the Blood Pressure
Adequate blood pressure is essential to maintain the blood supply and function of vital organs. Measurement of blood pressure is therefore a key part of the

Blood pressure measuring devices: recommendations of the European
There is a large market for blood pressure measuring devices not only in clinical medicine but also among the public where the demand for self measurement

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 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

Measuring Blood Pressure, what the numbers mean.
Everyone should know what their blood pressure is. Think of it as part of your body's MOT and a number you know, in the same way that you know how much you

Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home -- familydoctor.org
Measuring your blood pressure at home and keeping a record of the The blood pressure measurement is easy to read, because the numbers are shown on a


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