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.

blood normal pressure systolic
Translating Blood Pressure Numbers
Normal blood pressure is thus usually said to be 120/80 (systolic/diastolic) or less, measured in millimeters of mercury (abbreviated as mm Hg).

What is blood pressure?
Normal, Less than 120, Less than 80. Prehypertension, 120-139, 80-89. High Blood Pressure, Systolic, Diastolic. Stage 1, 140-159, 90-99

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Blood pressure
The top number is the systolic blood pressure reading. On the other hand, a single normal measurement does not necessarily mean that you don't have high

High Blood Pressure - Systolic High Blood Pressure - Hypertension
Questions and answers about systolic high blood pressure.

Hypertension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mayo Clinic website specifies blood pressure is "normal if it's below . These typically only surface with a systolic blood pressure over 240 mmHg

Blood pressure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
When blood flow is nil (cuff pressure exceeding systolic pressure) or .. Arterial pressure exceeding normal values is called arterial hypertension.

Go Ask Alice!: Normal blood pressure
In a healthy young adult the normal systolic pressure ranges from 90 to 139, and the normal diastolic pressure ranges from 60 to 89. High blood pressure can

What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood Pressure Category, Systolic (mm Hg), Diastolic (mm Hg). Normal, less than 120, and, less than 80. Prehypertension, 120â“139, or, 80â“89

Treating Systolic High Blood Pressure In Older Persons Is Beneficial
"Systolic hypertension in this range is not a consequence of normal aging. The old adage 'systolic blood pressure equals age plus 100' is outdated and

Measuring Blood Pressure, what the numbers mean.
If your blood pressure is on the high side of 'normal' (between 130/85 and In a single day your blood pressure may vary by 30 to 40 mmHg systolic with

Measuring the Blood Pressure
As we get older, blood pressure continues to rise and a rule of thumb is that normal systolic pressure is age in years + 100. Blood pressure is lower in


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