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-Altitude Medicine - April 15, 1998 - American Academy of
Hypoxia is the main contributor to high-altitude illness. Atmospheric pressure and the partial pressure of oxygen decrease rapidly at increasing levels

Lecture Notes-20
Lecture 20: Oxygen Carriage in Blood High Altitude At Sea Level the Partial Pressure of O2 is High Enough to Give Nearly 100% Saturation of Hemoglobin

Pulmonary Blood Flow Heterogeneity during Hypoxia and High
Pulmonary Blood Flow Heterogeneity during Hypoxia and High-Altitude bed to high pressure and vascular injury in high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

Non-Physician Altitude Tutorial
Another form of severe altitude illness is High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, in a high-pressure leak of fluid from the blood vessels into the lungs.

Altitude Sickness and Atmospheric Pressure
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (H.A.P.E.) is the more severe form of altitude illness. Procardia^, a blood pressure medication, has received considerable

Viagra Improves High Altitude Exercise Performance Up To 45% For Some
The drug was originally developed to relieve high blood pressure. The cyclists began breathing the high altitude mix starting one hour before the

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability Disability
If going on vacation, remember that being in a high-altitude location causes increases in blood pressure in people who normally reside in a low-altitude

Human Biological Adaptability: Adapting to High Altitude
There are two major kinds of environmental stresses at high altitude for humans lung membranes into the blood. At high altitudes, the lower air pressure

Archives of High Blood Pressure from the The Heart Forum
Please feel free to browse our high blood pressure archive below, syncope and abnormal blood pressure · High Blood Pressure and High Altitude Living

OA Guide to High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses
Medical research on high altitude illnesses is always expanding our knowledge Pressure in pulmonary arteries is increased, "forcing" blood into portions

High-Altitude Illness: How to Avoid It and How to Treat It
People who have coronary artery disease, mild emphysema or high blood pressure aren't at greater risk of high-altitude illness than people who don't have


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