Nowadays, many people have gotten used to such medical term as high blood cholesterol and scientists have already developed a number of medications that help lower its levels (www.drugs-med.com can provide full information about such preparations). Everyone keep talking about the dangers of cholesterol for a person and that the lower the level of cholesterol in the body, the better.

However, it’s important to know that cholesterol is essential for normal functioning of every body system and organ – it’s an important building material for our body cells and being a part of cellular membranes it is involved in cellular metabolism. Cholesterol is essential for the production of such important hormones as testosterone, cortisol and estrogen. Most part of cholesterol is synthesized in the liver (about 80%), the rest comes from the foods we consume.

There are two types of cholesterol:

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) also called “bad” cholesterol. It contributes to clogged arteries and thus increases the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Most people should aim for LDL levels below 100 mg/dL; however, those suffering from cardiovascular diseases should reduce their LDL cholesterol to 70 mg/dL.

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or “good” cholesterol. This type of cholesterol binds to LDL in the arteries and transports it to the liver, where it’s broken down and removed from the body. Therefore, “good” cholesterol reduces the amount of “bad” cholesterol in the body.

There are also triglycerides, a type of fats contained in the blood. As in the case of low-density lipoproteins, high levels of triglycerides increase the risks of cardiovascular system disorders. Healthy triglyceride levels should be below 150 mg/dL.

If the level of LDL is too high then the excesses of cholesterol can be deposited on the walls of the arteries. The deposits of cholesterol and other substances, that are called plaques, can narrow the artery lumen. Such deposits can cause atherosclerosis that makes elastic tissues of the arteries brittle. Plaques can be formed anywhere in the body, if they develop in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, they cause the progression of coronary artery disease. Therefore, it’s very important to lower cholesterol levels if they are too high.

Cholesterol plaques create other risks as well. If such plaque ruptures, it can cause the formation of a blood clot around it. When this blood clot remains in the artery, it completely blocks the blood flow so the cells don’t get required nutrients and oxygen with blood and die out. Some men with high cholesterol can sometimes end up with erection problems since they don’t get enough blood flow to the penis. Blood clot in the brain blocks its blood circulation and can cause a stroke; if a clot blocks the coronary artery, it leads to myocardial infarction.

Researchers have discovered that middle-aged men with high levels of cholesterol are at a higher risk for a first myocardial infarction than women of the same age; they believe it’s due to the protective effects female hormones.