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.

causes blood pressure
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
In 90 to 95 percent of people with high blood pressure, doctors do not know what causes it. High blood pressure with an unknown cause is called essential,

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and
Low blood pressure (hypotension) is pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis
Learn about high blood pressure (hypertension) - causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention of.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?
In many people with high blood pressure, a single specific cause is not known. This is called essential or primary high blood pressure.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?
In 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown.

High Blood Pressure: Things You Can Do to Help Lower Yours
In some people, alcohol causes blood pressure to rise quite a lot. In other people, it doesn't. If you drink alcohol, limit it to no more than 1 or 2 drinks

High blood pressure: Are you at risk? - MayoClinic.com
However, certain medical conditions can cause high blood pressure. Secondary high blood pressure: When another condition causes hypertension

Secondary high blood pressure: When another condition causes
Various conditions can cause secondary high blood pressure. Treating these underlying conditions can control â” or cure â” your high blood pressure.

What Causes High Blood Pressure? Your Guide to Lowering HBP
doctor taking blood pressure The causes of high blood pressure vary. Causes may include narrowing of the arteries, a greater than normal volume of blood,

High Blood Pressure Causes
In most cases, scientists don't know what causes high blood pressure, but they've developed ways to treat it effectively and identified factors that tend to

High blood pressure (hypertension) - causes, treatments and
Isolated systolic high blood pressure; White coat high blood pressure; Borderline high blood pressure. What causes high blood pressure?


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