What is cholesterol? “fCholesterol, from the Ancient Greek chole- (bile)

and stereos (solid) followed by the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, is a hydrocarbon organic molecule. It is a sterol (or modified steroid), a lipid molecule and is biosynthesized by all animal cells because it is an essential structural component of animal cell membranes.

It is normal and healthy to have cholesterol but very high levels of cholesterol are dangerous.

Two types of cholesterol: ◦ High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)◦ Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)

Structure of Cholesterol

IUPAC name(3β)-cholest-5-en-3-ol Systematic name2,15-dimethyl-14-(1,5-dimethylhexyl)tetracyclo [8.7.0.02,7.011,15]heptacos-7-en-5-ol

Functions of Cholesterol

Structural component of plasma membrane It is essential for formation of 1. Steroid hormones 2. Bile Acids 3. Vitamin D 4. Myelin sheath It also acts as an antioxident

HYPERCHOLESTREMIA (Increased levels of LDL & low levels of HDL) 1. Atherosclerosis Formation of atheroma in arteries leading to .Myocardial Infarction MI .Stroke .Peripheral artery disease .Coronary artery disease (angina) .Brain Infarction . Chronic Renal Ischemia (renal failure)

Pathophysiology of Cholesterol

Cholesterol in the blood stream

Source: http://www.topnews.in/files/high-cholesterol.jpg

What does cholesterol do to our bodies? When too much cholesterol is in our blood

stream, it can accumulate around the lining of our arteries.

“Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible” (American Heart Association, 2009 para.2)

Diseases caused by high cholesterol Atherosclerosis: “the process of fatty

substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood) building up in the inner lining of an artery. The buildup that results is called plaque.” (American Heart Association, 2008 para.1)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZALTTgT_SgA/RfrHRfPV2FI/AAAAAAAAAD0/iUyySqI4368/s320/LDL.jpg

Diseases Caused by High Cholesterol cont. Heart Disease: the blood carries oxygen to

our heart, atherosclerosis reduces the amount of blood flowing to our heart. If blood stops flowing to the heart because of a blockage in the arteries, a heart attack occurs. ( National Cholesterol Education Program, 2005)

Heart Attack: A heart attack results from the blockage of an artery to the heart. Can lead to death.

Diseases cont. Stroke: Atherosclerosis in arteries in or

leading to the brain can result in stroke. (American Heart Association, 2008)

http://www.smartabouthealth.net/images/stroke_guidelines_drugs.jpg

Deadly Sequence

Death

There are no symptoms of high cholesterol

Hypercholesterolemia Atherosclerosis Heart Disease Heart Attack/Stroke

HYPOCHOLESTREMIA (Low levels of cholesterol in body) Leads To .Depression

.Cancer .Cerebral Hemorrhage . Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome

WebMD, . (2009). High cholesterol. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/high_cholesterol/page2_em.htm

Lee-Frye, Betsy. (2009). Cholesterol and african americans--why so high?. Retrieved from

http://cholesterol.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/conditions-and-diseases/Cholesterol-and-African-Americans-Why-So-High-.htm

Lee-Frye, Betsy. (2009). Hispanics with high cholesterol--is it a growing trend?. Retrieved from

http://cholesterol.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Conditions-and-diseases/Cholesterol-and-Hispanics-Why-So-High-.-16c.htm

(2009). Diversity matters photo without wording. Retrieved from

http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/original/Diversity_Matters_photo_without_wording__.jpg

References