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 risk factors
High Blood Pressure Risk Factors
Read about the risk factors for high blood pressure that cannot be modified by healthy lifestyle changes.

Risk Factors Present Before Pregnancy: Pregnancy at High-Risk
These risk factors include certain physical and social characteristics of women, . The risk of preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that occurs

10-year CVD Risk Calculator (Risk Assessment Tool for Estimating
Are you currently on any medication to treat high blood pressure. Less than 40 mg/dL A major risk factor for heart disease

DHDSP - Heart Disease - Risk Factors
High blood pressure is another major risk factor for heart disease. It is a condition where the pressure of the blood in the arteries is too high.

Who Is At Risk for High Blood Pressure?
Who Is At Risk for High Blood Pressure? About 65 million American adultsÁ”nearly 1 in 3Á”have high blood pressure. In the United States, high blood pressure

Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure And Other Risk Factors. Blood pressure is always taken before any drops are placed in the patient's eyes. You must know the patient's blood

Blood Pressure, Risk Factors and Life style modification á» SlideShare
Slide 1: GUILDELINES for BLOOD PRESSURE, RISK FACTORS, LIFE SYLE MODIFICATION ISSUED in 2003 BY JOINT NATIONAL COMMITTEE and EUROPEAN SOCIETY of

High Blood Pressure A New Risk Factor For Kidney Rejection
New research shows that high blood pressure plays an important role during acute rejection of transplanted kidneys.

BMJ BestTreatments :: Conditions :: High blood pressure :: Risk
Certain things increase your likelihood of getting high blood pressure. Doctors call these risk factors. The main ones are discussed below.

NIHSeniorHealth: High Blood Pressure - Risk Factors and Prevention
High Blood Pressure. Risk Factors and Prevention. Photo of a man reading a newspaper. - Click to enlarge in new window. Click image to enlarge

Am I at Risk?
However, we do know that several factors may contribute to high blood pressure and raise your risk for heart attack and stroke. Controllable risk factors

Stroke Risk Factors
High blood pressure Á” High blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Many people believe the effective treatment of high

Blood Pressure Controllable Risks
Luckily, though, there are several risk factors that you can influence strongly, helping to get your blood pressure under control:

High Blood Pressure Risk Factors
Learn about high blood pressure risk factors and who should be careful about monitoring and treating their blood pressure.

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 - Risk Factors
Age is the major risk factor of hypertension. Blood pressure increases with age in both men and women, and in fact, the lifetime risk for hypertension is

High blood pressure: Are you at risk? - MayoClinic.com
Prehypertension tends to get worse over time and, if you have high blood pressure risk factors, you could develop high blood pressure:

High blood pressure (hypertension): Risk factors - MayoClinic.com
High blood pressure has many risk factors. Some you can't control. Other risk factors for high blood pressure are within your control. Excess weight.


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