Our cardiovascular system is comprised of
our beating heart, blood vessels, and blood. The average man's
body contains 5-6 liters of whole blood.
Blood has many life-sustaining responsibilities, including
transporting oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and hormones
throughout the body. Blood is composed of red blood cells,
white blood cells, platelets, and nutrients. Also circulating
in our blood is cholesterol. The two common forms are LDL,
the 'bad cholesterol', and HDL, the 'good cholesterol'. If
the obstruction occurs in arteries of the brain it could lead
to a stroke. There are no symptoms, so screening for hyperlipidemia
should be part of your regular physical examination.
Hyperlipidemia occurs when we have a higher amount of LDL
than is normal. LDL travels out of the blood and is deposited
between the smooth muscle cells of the artery.
White blood cells called macrophages eat the LDL and become
foam cells. These cells eventually rupture and begin to form
a lipid layer called plaque.The increase in lipids can cause
plaques to grow over time, leading to obstructions.
If the obstruction occurs in the coronary arteries it could
result in a heart attack.
f the obstruction occurs in arteries of the brain it could
lead to a stroke. There are no symptoms, so screening for
hyperlipidemia should be part of your regular physical examination.
