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 (Hypertension) - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis
Even if high blood pressure does cause symptoms, the symptoms are usually mild and nonspecific (vague, or suggesting many different disorders).

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Information about lowering your blood pressure from the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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Having high blood pressure is one of several 'risk factors' that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, a stroke, and other serious

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It is estimated that 1 of 3 American adults has high blood pressure or hypertension. Having high blood pressure increases oneâ™s chance for developing heart

High blood pressure: Are you at risk? - MayoClinic.com
High blood pressure: Are you at risk? Learn the common risk factors.

High blood pressure - information and help about hypertension
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. The only way for you to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured with a blood pressure

High blood pressure - what is hypertension?
The good news is that if your blood pressure is high, it can be lowered by making changes to your lifestyle, for example changing your diet, exercising and

High blood pressure (hypertension)
The heart is a pump designed to force blood through our body. Blood is pumped from the heart through the arteries out to our muscles and organs.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
About one in five Americans has high blood pressure. Of those people with hypertension, about one third to one half don't even know they have it.

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High Blood Pressure. Table of Contents. What Is High Blood Pressure? Risk Factors and Prevention · Symptoms and Diagnosis · Treating High Blood Pressure

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This site, for people who want to learn about preventing and controlling high blood pressure. Based clinical guidelines and research studies,

Treatments: Guide to Lowing High Blood Pressure
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective first step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes alone are not

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High blood pressure affects I in 4 American adults. Find in-depth high blood pressure and hypertension information including its causes, symptoms,

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Ask Your Family Doctor Developed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada What is high blood pressure? Imagine that your arteries are pipes that carry

Blood pressure (high) Introduction - Health encyclopaedia - NHS Direct
Persistent high blood pressure (hypertension), if untreated puts you at greater risk of having a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke.

High blood pressure (hypertension) - causes, treatments and
It turns out that grapefruit juice can directly or indirectly interact in important ways with a number of medications, including high blood pressure

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Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, congestive heart

What is blood pressure?
In many people with high blood pressure, a single specific cause is not known. In some people, high blood pressure is the result of another medical

What Is High Blood Pressure?
Learn about various levels of blood pressure and how high blood pressure (hypertension) is defined.


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