Arteries are those vessels in the body that carry blood that is rich in oxygen. The healthy arteries are those that have smooth inner walls and flowing of the blood in the arteries is easy. However, some people have clogged arteries as a result of the buildup of plaques on the inner side of the arteries. The arterial plaques may result in the reduced blood flow. Heart disease refers to the disease that affects the heart and the blood vessel most of which have a relationship with atherosclerosis process. The disease is also known as cardiovascular disease. The atherosclerosis process refers to the condition where there is a development of plaque in the arteries’ walls resulting in the narrowing of the arteries. The narrowed arteries result in difficulties, in the flow of blood through the arteries increasing the risk of heart attack or even stroke (American Heart Association).
Cholesterol is a crucial structural component that is found in the cell membrane of animals and is necessary in the establishment of proper membrane fluidity and permeability. Other than the important functions that cholesterol plays in the membrane, it also acts as a precursor in the steroid hormone, vitamin D and bile acid biosynthesis. It is the principal steroid that is synthesized by the animals and is mainly synthesized in the liver (Hanukoglu).
Not all cholesterols are good cholesterols. Some cholesterol is referred to as good cholesterol while others are called bad cholesterols. Cholesterol is usually not soluble in the blood plasma and is transported to the cells and from the cells being carried in molecules known as lipoproteins. The cholesterol carried by low-density lipoprotein is the ones that are called the bad cholesterol, while those carried by the high-density lipoprotein are called good cholesterol. It is when there is a high content of low density lipoproteins in the blood that there is a risk of heart disease. As the lipoproteins are circulating in the blood, they can build up in a gradual manner in the inner arterial walls feeding the heart and brain. The high density lipoproteins are referred as good cholesterol since they help in reducing the risk of heart attack by removing the bad cholesterol in the vessels (American Heart Association).
The increased levels of cholesterol in the blood vessels in combination with other substances cause the development of plaque that are thick and hard deposit on the artery walls. The deposit of the plaque may result in the narrowing of the arteries making them to be less flexible. This condition is referred to as atherosclerosis. If, by any chance, there is a clot formation there may be the blockage of the arteries leading to stroke or heart attack (American Heart Association).
There is no difference in risk of having a heart attack between women and men. However, there are risk factors that affect women in a different way than men. Those people who already have a risk factor for heart attack are in a greater danger than those with no risk factor. The risk of heart attack Some of the behaviors that are not good and can lead to heart disease include smoking, taking unhealthy diet, failure to have physical activity and being overweight or obese (National Institutes of Health). Through smoking, there is a great exposure of carbon monoxide that robs oxygen from the blood and may trigger the building up of plaque in the arteries. Smoking also raises the risk of development of blood clots in the arteries which may result in heart attack (American Heart Association).
Works Cited
American Heart Association. Good vs. Bad Cholesterol. 2012. 11 May 2013.
—. What is Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease)? 2011. 11 May 2013.
Hanukoglu, I. "Steroidogenic enzymes: structure, function, and role in regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis." J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 43.8 (1992): 779–804.
National Institutes of Health. Who Is at Risk for Heart Disease? 2013. 11 May 2013.
