Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

cholesterol blood levels The amounts and forms
of cholesterol that are present in the bloodstream,
usually measured after 8 to 12 hours of fasting (no
food) to accommodate short-term rises that could
result from eating. Cholesterol is a sterol, a chemical
essential for numerous metabolic functions
and necessary for health. Because cholesterol cannot
dissolve in the BLOOD, it binds with protein
carriers called lipoproteins that suspend it in the
blood. Cholesterol becomes a health problem
when the amount of cholesterol in the blood circholesterol
blood levels 35
occlude the inner channel of the carotid artery.
Carotid bruit is a diagnostic sign that indicates the
presence of CAROTID STENOSIS (narrowing of the
carotid artery) and increased risk for STROKE.
See also ANGIOGRAM; ENDARTERECTOMY; HEART
SOUNDS; STENT.
carotid stenosis Narrowing of the carotid ARTERY
in the neck due to ATHEROSCLEROSIS. Often carotid
stenosis shows no symptoms until it results in a
STROKE. The doctor may detect carotid stenosis
during routine physical examination when listening
to the carotid arteries with a STETHOSCOPE,
which reveals the characteristic murmur sound,
CAROTID BRUIT, that indicates the stenosis. ANTICO-
AGULATION THERAPY, most commonly ASPIRIN
THERAPY, helps reduce the risk of clot formation at
the site of the stenosis though does not prevent or
reduce atherosclerotic accumulations. ENDARTEREC-
TOMY, surgery to remove the occluding atheromas
(collections of ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE) and widen
the arterial passage, becomes a viable treatment
option when the stenosis reaches 60 or 70 percent.
ANGIOGRAM, in which the cardiologist uses
dye and X-rays to examine the arteries, helps
define the degree of occlusion. Stroke occurs
when clot or atheroma fragments break free from
the site of the stenosis and travel through the
carotid artery to the BRAIN.
See also CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION; SUR-
GERY BENEFIT AND RISK ASSESSMENT.
chest pain Discomfort that arises from the upper
portion of the body. CHEST PAIN can have various
causes, many of which are not cardiovascular. Discomfort
originating from the HEART is characteristically
oppressive in nature, though often not the
crushing pressure that is the common perception.
As many as 25 percent of people do not experience
appreciable pain with HEART ATTACK. Gastrointestinal
pain often sends people to the emergency
room worried about heart attack, yet nearly a
third of people who are having heart attacks delay
seeking medical care because they do not believe
the symptoms they are experiencing, especially
chest pain, are severe enough to be heart attack.
Chest pain is unreliable as an indicator of the
nature or severity of a health situation.
HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE CHEST PAIN
BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS
dissecting aortic ANEURYSM
GALLBLADDER DISEASE
HEPATIC ABSCESS
LUNG ABSCESS
PANCREATITIS
PERICARDITIS
PLEURISY
PULMONARY EMBOLISM with
infarction
COSTOCHONDRITIS
ENDOCARDITIS
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX
DISORDER (GERD)
HIATAL HERNIA
MYOCARDITIS
PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE
PNEUMONIA
rib FRACTURES
STOMACH CANCER
See also CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR);
CHONDRITIS; COCAINE.
CHOLESTEROL BLOOD LEVELS AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Cholesterol Optimal Moderate Risk High Risk
HDL-C > – 60 mg/dL < 40 mg/dL not applicable
LDL-C < – 100 mg/dL* 130–159 mg/dL* >160 mg/dL
total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL 200–239 mg/dL > – 240 mg/dL
*For people with no other cardiovascular risk factors, LDL-C levels of 100–129 mg/dL is optimal. For people with other cardiovascular
risk factors, LDL-C levels of 100–129 mg/dL is nearly optimal/slight risk.