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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If your blood pressure is Á˜normalÁ™ and you have no personal or family history of high blood pressure, a check every two years and during routine visits to

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A convenient way to measure your own blood pressure.

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One reason to have regular check-ups by your doctor is to check your blood pressure. If you have only a slightly higher readingÁ”such as a top number between

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Identification of systolic blood pressure by palpatory method helps one to avoid a lower systolic reading by auscultatory method if there is an auscultatory

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Therefore, everyone should have regular blood pressure checks at least every 3-5 years. The check should be more often (at least once a year) in: older

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If you have diabetes and high blood pressure, you may gain from checking your blood pressure at home. Here are some common questions and answers to review

Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home -- 22 (1): 32 -- Clinical
Blood pressure check To measure blood pressure, your doctor uses an instrument call a "sphygmomanometer," more often referred to as a blood pressure cuff.

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This measurement is important if you are using a home electronic device to check your blood pressure. Please remember to put on the cuff properly and if

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High blood pressure: Check your blood pressure at home to help meet your target. Checking your own blood pressure at home is an important part of

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How to Check Blood Pressure. Blood pressure machines are popular right now. But taking your pressure manually with a simple cuff and stethoscope will render

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Check Your High Blood Pressure Prevention I.Q.. Test your knowledge of high blood pressure with the following questions. The answers are given at the end of

How To Check Your Blood Pressure
Listen carefully for the first sound. Check the blood pressure reading by looking at the pointer on the dial. This number will be your systolic pressure.

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