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 with age
High blood pressure (hypertension) - MayoClinic.com
High blood pressure typically develops without signs or symptoms. And it affects nearly everyone eventually. If you don't have high blood pressure by age 55

High Blood Pressure Does Not Accelerate Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Duke University Medical Center researchers have found that contrary to the classical model of aging, increased blood pressure does not accelerate the

The association between blood pressure, age, and dietary sodium
In men, but not women, age-adjusted systolic and diastolic blood pressure correlated significantly with dietary sodium intake. In both men and women,

Blood pressure: information about, high blood pressure, symptoms
In humans, blood pressure doesn't vary greatly. In healthy persons, blood pressure increases from about 80/45 in infants, to about 120/80 at age 30,

All about high blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is very common and the proportion of both men and women with high blood pressure increases steadily with age.

Persons with high blood pressure, by age and sex
Note: Population aged 12 and older who report that they have been diagnosed by a health professional as having high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure, Factors That Contribute to
Increasing age. Blood pressure tends to increase with age, and occurs most often in people older than age 35. Men have a greater risk of high blood pressure

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Patient UK
A score is calculated which takes into account all your risk factors (such as age, sex, smoking status, blood pressure, blood cholesterol level, etc).

Blood pressure and age
Scientific studies show that the blood pressure increases with age. Of course, the age of a patient cannot be altered but the doctor must consider the age

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION)
If you have high blood pressure, are age 35 or older, and also smoke, you should not take birth control pills unless you quit smoking.

Overall blood pressure levels
Mean systolic blood pressure increases with age in both men and women. Blood pressure levels by sex and age, adults aged 16 and over, 2005,

Age differences and blood pressure
Blood pressure levels by sex and age, adults aged 16 and over, 2003, Blood pressure levels, by age and sex, adults 65 years and above, 2000,

Measuring the Blood Pressure
'Normal' or 'acceptable' blood pressure varies with age, state of health and clinical situation. At birth, a typical blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg.

High Blood Pressure: Genetics, Age and Lifestyle
In such cases, it should be noted that most causes of high blood pressure in middle age and later life are still uncertain. The main difference is that in

How being older affects your blood pressure - CNN.com
Why you're more susceptible to high blood pressure as you age. As you age, your blood pressure The importance of treating high blood pressure at any age

What Are High Blood Pressure and Prehypertension?
A blood pressure level of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high. About two-thirds of people over age 65 have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure

Medindia.net - Blood Pressure charts
Medindia's simple tool alerts you if for your age your blood pressure is abnormal by displaying the normal values. This measurement is important if you are

High blood pressure (hypertension)
There is a natural tendency for blood pressure to rise with age due to the reduced elasticity of the arterial system. Age is therefore one of the factors


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