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.

arm position blood pressure
Monitoring your blood pressure at home - Yahoo! Health
The size and position of the blood pressure cuff can greatly affect the accuracy of Manual blood pressure monitors: Sit with your arm slightly bent and

Arm position affects accuracy of blood pressure readings
The patientsâ™ blood pressure was measured six times in the perpendicular (right angle, flexed at the elbow) and parallel arm positions while laying down,

lifeclinic.com - Related Articles
In a Dutch study, 69 hypertensive patients had their blood pressure measured with the arm in two positions. In the first (the arm down position) the arm was

Effect of Position on Blood Pressure - High Blood Pressure
To what extent do blood pressure measurements vary depending on position, i.e., sitting, standing, or lying down? Also, if the arm is allowed to hang down

How to Position the Blood Pressure Cuff
When taking blood pressure the lower part of the cuff needs to be about 2cm from the elbow. Use the left arm to take the reading. If using a wrist cuff,

Arm Position May Alter Blood Pressure Readings 1/28/04
You might want to get your blood pressure reading again after you read this interesting article. Studies suggest that blood pressure readings on an arm

Correct blood pressure reading depends on arm position
A new study has found that arm position is more important that body position when trying to get an accurate blood pressure reading. If the arm is positioned

Blood pressure readings influenced by arm position
Contact: Sue Pondromspondrom@ucsd.edu619-543-6163University of California - San Diego (USA)Blood pressure readings taken on arms parallel, or extended in

Both body and arm position significantly influence blood pressure
The position of both the body and the arm during indirect blood pressure (BP) measurement is often neglected. The aim of the present study was to test the

Arm Position Matters In Blood Pressure Readings According To UCSD
Blood pressure readings taken on arms parallel, or extended in the same direction as the body, are up to 10 percent higher than readings taken when the

ABC of hypertension: Blood pressure measurement -- Beevers et al
1 2 Arm position has become an important issue for self measurement of blood pressure with the manufacture of devices for measuring blood pressure at the


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