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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Low blood pressure (hypotension) - CNN.com
A number of drugs can cause low blood pressure, including diuretics and other drugs that treat hypertension; heart medications such as beta blockers;

Blood pressure (high) Introduction - Health encyclopaedia - NHS Direct
Persistent high blood pressure (hypertension), if untreated puts you at Hypertension (high blood pressure) is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg

High Blood Pressure
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High blood pressure - hypertension symptoms, cause, treatment and risk
BUPA health factsheet - high blood pressure (hypertension) and its symptoms, the cause, available treatment and the risk related to the condition.

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hypertension
Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or This is called essential hypertension. High blood pressure that results

MedlinePlus: High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)(Food and Drug Administration); High Blood Pressure . Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)(Nemours Foundation)

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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,

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis
Consumer health resource center providing an overview of hypertension and its causes, symptoms and treatment.

Healthy Hearts: Hypertension/High Blood Pressure - The Human Heart
If either or both numbers are equal to or greater than 120 over 80 for an extended period of time, you have high blood pressure, or hypertension.

What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure and hypertension facts. Learn what is considered a normal blood Do You Have 'White Coat Hypertension'? Stress & High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Patient UK
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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High blood pressure (hypertension) information. Informations about high blood pressure for patients : hypertension damage, how to measure blood pressure,

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.

Hypotension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hypotension is not hypertension, which is high blood pressure, the opposite of hypotension. Hypotension is a fairly rare problem, hypertension is a much

Low blood pressure (hypotension) - MayoClinic.com
Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, would seem to be something to strive for. After all, high blood pressure (hypertension) is a well-known risk

High blood pressure (hypertension) - MayoClinic.com
High blood pressure ā” Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypertension.

What is hypertension - WebMD
Get the basics about hypertension -- what normal blood pressure is, and what causes high blood pressure.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and
Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension) is blood pressure below normal. Low blood pressure symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness,

High blood pressure (hypertension) - causes, treatments and
High Blood Pressure: Medical information about hypertension, its treatment, therapies and prevention.


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