Heart & Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all tissues, and it is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. Cholesterol is also considered a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol). Because cholesterol is synthesized by all eukaryotes, trace amounts of cholesterol are also found in membranes of plants and fungi.
Most of the cholesterol in the body 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.
Cholesterol plays a central role in many biochemical processes, such as the composition of cell membranes and the synthesis of steroid hormones. It 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; bad cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL; good cholesterol) carry cholesterol from and to the liver, respectively.
The blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. The higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack.
When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it builds up in the walls of the arteries. Over time, this buildup causes “hardening of the arteries” so that arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked. The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach the heart, one may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.
Read more about heart disease or how to lower cholesterol…
Health Tips
Know Yourself and Your Risks. Your parents and ancestors help determine some of who you are. Your habits, work and home environments, and lifestyle also help to define your health and your risks. You may be at an increased risk for certain diseases or conditions because of what you do, where you work, and how you play. Being healthy means doing some homework, knowing yourself, and knowing what's best for you... because you are one of a kind. Read more Health Tips »
