What is cholesterol?
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Cholesterol is a lipid (fat chemical) that is made in the liver from fatty foods that we eat. A certain amount of cholesterol is present in the bloodstream. You need some cholesterol to keep healthy. Cholesterol is carried in the blood as part of particles called lipoproteins. There are different types of lipoproteins, but the most relevant to cholesterol are:
- Low density lipoproteins carrying cholesterol - LDL cholesterol. This is often referred to as 'bad cholesterol' as it is the one mainly involved in forming atheroma. Atheroma is the main underlying cause of various cardiovascular diseases (see below). Usually, about 70% of cholesterol in the blood is LDL cholesterol, but the % can vary from person to person.
- High density lipoproteins carrying cholesterol - HDL cholesterol. This is often referred to as 'good cholesterol' as it may actually prevent atheroma formation.
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Where to next?
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Thousands of Caesareans could be avoided
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What is cholesterol?
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Who should be treated to reduce their cardiovascular health risk?
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Atrial Fibrillation
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Can strokes be prevented?
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How common is atrial fibrillation and what causes it?
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Stroke
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Stroke risk if your partner smokes
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Tests for and complications of atrial fibrillation
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Understanding a normal heartbeat
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What are the symptoms of a stroke?
brian briggs, about 1 year
i am taking 80mil of simverstaton daily, can this have long term effect on my body, my cholestrol is at present 5.7 i have taken simverstatin for the past 4 years. thank you for your help.
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