Cholesterol glossary

Alzheimer's disease

A slowly progressing form of mental impairment, also known as senile dementia, usually occurring later in life. High cholesterol has been shown to be a risk factor for Alzheimers.

Angina

A pain in the chest caused by inadequate blood flow through the blood vessels of the heart.

Antioxidants

A vitamin or nutrient that may help prevent damage to the heart, arteries, and other tissues. Examples include vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene. (The American Heart Association believes data is currently inconclusive about the benefits of antioxidants on heart health.)

Apolipoprotein B

This is the major protein component in LDL (low density lipoprotein). LDL, which is commonly called "LDL cholesterol" for simplicity, is actually a complex mixture of cholesterol and protein, including apolipoprotein B. The role of apolipoprotein B as part of the LDL molecule is to help transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Apolipoprotein B may be an even better predictor of heart disease than LDL itself, although at this time it is not a major part of cholesterol screening. It may also be a future target for treatment.

Arteriosclerosis

A disease characterized by thickening and hardening of artery walls. The word "atherosclerosis" is often used to indicate any of the forms of arteriosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis

A slow, complex disease in which fatty deposits (called plaque) build up in the inner lining of an artery, eventually causing it to narrow and restrict blood flow. It is one of several types of "Arterio"-sclerosis.

Beta blockers

A class of blood pressure medications that ease the heart's pumping action and widen the blood vessels. Beta blockers may interfere with bile acid resins.

Bile acid resins

A class of medications that lowers the amount of LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the blood. The body converts cholesterol to bile acid. The way the resin works is that it binds the bile acids, causing the bile acids to be removed in the intestines. In response, more LDL cholesterol is converted to bile acid, effectively removing it from the blood.

Blood clot

A mass of congealed blood. Blood clots can block blood vessels and cause a stroke or heart attack.

Blood test

A test that involves withdrawing a sample of blood from your arm for examination. A blood test known as a "lipid profile" is used to detect levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Cardiovascular disease

Any disease that affects the circulatory system -- this includes the heart and blood vessels.

Cholesterol

A soft waxy substance that is a natural component of the fats in the bloodstream and is used by all the cells of the body. There is a "good" form of cholesterol (HDL), which protects the heart, and a "bad" form (LDL), which causes heart disease and other problems.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Heart disuse. A condition in which sticky deposits (plaques) block the flow of blood to the heart, often causing chest pain (angina). Heart disease can lead to a heart attack. Untreated, high LDL cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease.

Diabetes

A chronic disease associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood. People with diabetes should avoid using nicotinic acid.

Dyslipidemia

The medical term for an unhealthy blood lipid (fat) profile.

Fibrates

A class of lipid lowering medications that is used primarily to lower triglycerides and, to a lesser extent, LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Gout

A condition in which too much uric acid in the body causes joint pains. People with gout should avoid using nicotinic acid.

HDL cholesterol

Good cholesterol. Removes cholesterol from artery walls and protects against heart disease. You want your HDL level to be HIGH.

Heart attack

Also called a myocardial infarction. This is a complete blockage of blood flow to an area of the heart, causing heart cells to die. Untreated, high LDL cholesterol levels can lead to a heart attack.

Heart disease

Also called coronary artery disease. A condition in which sticky deposits (called plaque) block the flow of blood to the heart, often causing chest pain (angina). Heart disease can lead to a heart attack. Untreated, high LDL cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease.

High blood pressure

When blood pushes against artery walls harder than normal, all or most of the time. This tends to happen when the arteries become too narrow.

High cholesterol

An unhealthy level of LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. (Note: when "total cholesterol" is high, it is a rough approximation that LDL is high.) High LDL cholesterol levels can create sticky deposits (called plaque) along the artery walls and may lead to heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Homocysteine

An amino acid that is found in the body. When levels of homocysteine are too high, it can be a risk factor for heart disease, even in people with normal cholesterol.

Hydrogenated

refers to oils that have become hardened (such as hard butter and margarine). Foods made with hydrogenated oils should be avoided because they contain high levels of trans fatty acids, which are linked to heart disease. (Look at the ingredients in the food label.) The terms "hydrogenated" and "saturated" are related; an oil becomes saturated when hydrogen is added (i.e., becomes hydrogenated).

Hyperlipidemia

Medical term for high blood cholesterol.

Hypoglycemia

A condition in which the amount of sugar in the blood is abnormally low. Certain drugs taken for hypoglycemia may react with bile acid resins.

Hypothyroidism

A condition in which not enough thyroid hormone is produced. Hypothyroidism is a risk factor for high cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol

Bad cholesterol. It deposits on the walls of blood vessels, and can lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease. You want your LDL level to be LOW.

Lumen

The interior space of an artery though which the blood flows.

Mono-unsaturated fats

Fats that help to lower blood cholesterol if used in place of saturated fats. However, mono-unsaturated fats have a lot of calories, so you still need to limit them. Examples include olive and canola oils.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

A government organization that conducts research and provides public information about diseases of the heart, lungs, and blood.

Nicotinic acid (niacin)

A form of vitamin B that raises the amount of HDL ("good") cholesterol in the blood.

Partially hydrogenated

Refers to oils that have become partially hardened. Foods made with partially hydrogenated oils should be avoided because they contain high levels of trans fatty acids, which are linked to heart disease. (Look at the ingredients in the food label.)

Plaque

Sticky deposits that build up in the inner lining of an artery. Plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis and it can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Polyunsaturated fats

Fats that help to lower blood cholesterol if used in place of saturated fats. However, polyunsaturated fats have a lot of calories, so you still need to limit them. Examples include safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils.

Psyllium

A soluble fiber supplement that is sometimes used with bile acid resins.

Rhabdomyolysis

A very rare condition of muscle deterioration that can lead to kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis has been associated with certain statin drugs, particularly cerivastatin (Baycol) in high doses. (Baycol was withdrawn from the market.) Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by muscle aches and pains, as well as high blood levels of an enzyme called creatine kinase (CK) and creatinine (usually causing brown urine).

Saturated fats

These are the biggest dietary cause of high LDL cholesterol levels. When looking at a food label, pay very close attention to the % of saturated fat and avoid or limit any foods that are high (for example, over 20% saturated fat). Saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream, cream, and fatty meats. They are also found in some vegetable oils -- coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils. (Note: most other vegetable oils contain unsaturated fat and are healthy.)

Stroke

Death of brain cells caused by obstructed blood flow to parts of the brain. If not treated properly, high LDL cholesterol can cause a stroke.

Statins

A class of drugs used to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides by inhibiting the bodys production of them.

Trans fatty acids

These fats form when vegetable oil hardens (a process called hydrogenation) and can raise total cholesterol levels.

Triglyceride

A type of fat that is normally present in the blood. High levels of triglycerides are linked to heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Unsaturated fats

Fats that help to lower blood cholesterol if used in place of saturated fats. However, unsaturated fats have a lot of calories, so you still need to limit them. There are two types: mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated. Most (but not all!) liquid vegetable oils are unsaturated. (The exceptions include coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils.)