Cholesterol or 5-cholesten-3? -ol is a steroid which is the most plentiful in animal tissues. An important role of this steroid is in the formation of various substances in the body such as bile acids, vitamin D, progesterone, estrogen, androgens, mineralocorticoid hormones and glucocorticoid hormones. This substance also is important for normal permeability and cell membrane functions(Dictionary, 2006). Cholesterol is transported in the blood stream inside vacuoles which is coated by proteins. These proteins are Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and High-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Increase in the levels of low-density lipoprotein in the blood stream leads to the formation of cholesterol plaques in the artery. The surge of blood cholesterol beyond normal values will increase the risk of obtaining heart disease(NHLBI, 2006). Causes of high cholesterol in the blood are: heredity, foods taken in by the body, increased weight, lack of exercise, age, and gender. Foods high in saturated fats and Trans fatty acids as well as increase in weight and lack of exercise increases Low-density lipoprotein.
Diagnosis of this condition involves lipoprotein profile, a blood test that measures total cholesterol and specific values of Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), High-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides; and random test for total blood cholesterol level and HDL(NHLBI, 2006). A person that is 20 years old and above needs to have their blood cholesterol levels measured every 5 years(NIH, 2005 ). BODY High blood cholesterol levels has various causes and these are heredity or genetics, foods taken in by the body, increased weight, lack of exercise, age, and gender.
Heredity or genetic cause is wherein the disease condition is inherited from the parents of an individual(NHLBI, 2006). This runs in the family meaning that if most of the family members have the disease there is an increased probability that an individual will also have the disease. Among the genetic causes of high blood cholesterol levels are: Abetalipoproteinemia, Apo A-I deficiency, and autosomal dominant on chromosome 19 called LDLR gene.