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.

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Low Blood Pressure
Answers to your questions about low blood pressure and more! Information you can trust: patient guides, the latest news, tips, tools, animations and

Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure
The upper or first number in a blood pressure reading is the systolic pressure and the lower or second number is called the diastolic pressure.

Low Blood Pressure - What is Low Blood Pressure - Is Low Blood
Low blood pressure can be caused by a variety of factors. Learn when high blood pressure should be cause for concern and how this condition is diagnosed and

Low Blood Pressure Causes - Causes of Hypotension - What makes
There are many potential causes of low blood pressure. They range in severity from mild to severe and may include things like medication side effects,

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Lower blood pressure and relieve stress naturally using slow breathing with music.

Low blood pressure - hypotension
Low blood pressure or hypotension is persistent abnormally low blood pressure. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries.

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If blood pressure is too high, it can damage a blood vessel and even rupture it, causing bleeding or other complications. If blood pressure is too low,

Hypotension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In physiology and medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. This is best understood as a physiologic state, rather than a disease.

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How to Lower Blood Pressure Without Medication Quickly.

MedlinePlus: Low Blood Pressure
Some people have low blood pressure all the time. They have no symptoms and their low readings are normal for them. In other people, blood pressure drops

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What are some effective things that people with high blood pressure have done to lower their blood pressure into a healthy range?

How Is Hypotension Treated?
Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure. Any person with blood pressure low enough to cause symptoms should immediately sit or lie down,

Blood pressure (low) Introduction - Health encyclopaedia - NHS Direct
For a young, healthy adult, normal blood pressure is about 110/70, but generally, the lower your blood pressure is, the better.

Low blood pressure (hypotension): Causes - MayoClinic.com
Low blood pressure (hypotension) â” Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes and treatment of this condition.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) - MayoClinic.com
Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, would seem to be something to strive for. After all, high blood pressure (hypertension) is a well-known risk

Low blood pressure
At this time, it was thought that low blood pressure was a major cause of depression and tiredness. Many people were quite wrongly treated for low blood

Low Blood Pressure
Within limits, the lower your blood pressure reading is, the better. In most people blood pressure isn't too low until it causes symptoms such as

Your High Blood Pressure Questions Answered â” Low Blood Pressure
Is low blood pressure dangerous, and how low is too low? Find the answer here.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and
Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension) is blood pressure below normal. Low blood pressure symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness,


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