Chris Clark Chem. 260 8/17/2009 Lipoproteins And Heart Attacks Despite

Chris Clark Chem. 260 8/17/2009 Lipoproteins and Heart Attacks Despite dramatic medical advances over the past 50 years myocardial infarction (heart attacks) remains the leading cause of disability and death worldwide. In the United States, almost 700,000 people die from heart disease each year(ArticlesBase.com, 2009). In 2006, the American Heart Association estimated heart disease would cost Americans more than $258 billion(American Heart Assoc., 2009). Myocardial infarctions are caused by a narrowing of the blood vessels that lead to the heart. This occurs when fatty deposits, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL), forms a fatty substance called a plaque, which builds up on the arterial walls. Eventually, these calcified arteries become increasingly more narrow which slows and prevents a sufficient amount of oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, which leads to the common symptom of a heart attack, chest pain. If these fatty deposits become thick enough to stop blood flow, a heart attack or myocardial infarction results, which can lead to death(United States department of Health and Human services, 2008). Of course not all cholesterol is considered bad or harmful to the human body. High-density lipoprotein, (HDL) the good cholesterol, carries harmful build up of cholesterol away from the arteries and transports it to the liver, where it is removed from the body(American Heart Assoc., 2009). Many things can cause high amounts of LDL cholesterol in your body, eating too much saturated and trans fats that are found in meats, whole milk, eggs, butter, and cheese. Other causes of high LDL cholesterol are caused by being overweight and not exercising(WebMD, 2008). Cholesterol level is an important measure of your heart health. It is important to have cholesterol levels checked regularly. Having a fasting cholesterol test (also called a lipoprotein analysis) done measures your total cholesterol, HDL,

LDL, and triglycerides(WebMD, 2008). Maintaining cholesterol levels within normal ranges along with regular diet and exercise will help to prevent heart attacks from occurring.

Works Cited

American Heart Assoc. (2009, August 16). American Heart Association. Retrieved August 16, 2009, from LDL and HDL Cholesterol: What's Bad and What's Good?: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=180 ArticlesBase.com. (2009, Feb 4). ArticlesBase.com. Retrieved August 14, 2009, from What Are Some Ways to Prevent Heart Disease?: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/what-are-some-ways-to-preventheart-disease-5-tips-757170.html United States department of Health and Human services. (2008, September). High blood cholesterol. Retrieved August 14, 2009, from National Heart Blood and Lund Ins.: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbc/HBC_WhatIs.html WebMD. (2008, July 11). Cholesterol Management Health Center. Retrieved August 14, 2009, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/tc/highcholesterol-overview