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* Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) which is produced by the liver. Cholesterol is vital for
normal body function. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in its outer layer.
* The word "cholesterol" comes from the Greek word chole, meaning "bile", and
the Greek word stereos, meaning "solid, stiff".
FUNCTIONS OF CHOLESTEROL
* LDL (low density lipoprotein) - people often refer to it as bad cholesterol. LDL
carries cholesterol from the liver to cells. If too much is carried (too much for the
cells to use) there can be a harmful buildup of LDL.
* Triglycerides - these are the chemical forms in which most fat exists in the body,
as well as in food. They are present in blood plasma.
Triglycerides, in association with cholesterol, form the plasma lipids (blood fat).
Triglycerides in plasma originate either from fats in our food, or are made in the
body from other energy sources, such as
carbohydrates . Calories we consume but
are not used immediately by our tissues are converted into triglycerides and
stored in fat cells.
- Heart attack - occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart
muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. This causes your heart
muscle to die.
- Angina - chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not
get enough blood.
- Stroke and mini-stroke - occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or vein,
interrupting the flow to an area of the brain. Can also occur when a blood vessel
breaks or brain cells begin to die.
- Leg pain when exercising - this is because the arteries that supply the legs have
narrowed.
- Ruptured plaques - this can lead to coronary thrombosis (a clot forming in one of
the arteries that delivers blood to the heart). If this causes significant damage to
heart muscle it could cause heart failure .
- Xanthomas - thick yellow patches on the skin, especially around the eyes. They
are, in fact, deposits of cholesterol. This is commonly seen among people who have
inherited high cholesterol susceptibility (familial or inherited
hypercholesterolaemia).
Lifestyle causes
- Bodyweight - people who are overweight/obese are much more likely to have
higher LDL levels and lower HDL levels, compared to those who are of normal
weight.
- Diabetes .
- Kidney diseases.
- Liver diseases.
TREATMENTS
- Stopping smoking.
Cholesterol-controlling Medications
- Aspirin
- Niacin
Eshun Lord