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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High blood pressure was directly responsible for nearly 44619 American deaths in 2000 and was listed as the primary or contributing cause of death in an

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Women with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood

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However, one needs to remember that high blood pressure is not the only cause of these complications, so in no way can one's treatment completely eliminate

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Complications. Hypertension places stress on a number of organs (called target Among older patients, high blood pressure is the major risk factor for

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If you have high blood pressure, you're more likely to have other components of metabolic syndrome. The more components you have, the greater your risk of

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High blood pressure is an important cause of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease. Learn about the complications of high blood pressure.

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Over time, high blood pressure can cause problems in other parts of the body because of the damage to the blood vessels. Complications may include:

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For that reason, the diagnosis of high blood pressure is important so efforts can be made to normalize blood pressure and prevent complications.

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Anyone can suffer from high blood pressure, but certain factors can seriously aggravate hypertension and increase the risk of complications:


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