Cholesterol

Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which arteries become hardened and narrowed due to the deposition of cholesterol-rich plaques in the artery wall.

Cholesterol and lipids
Cholesterol is one of a large and important class of biological molecules called lipids, scientific jargon for fats.

High cholesterol
High cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is a condition in which there are unhealthy high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is also called dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, and lipid disorder.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia
Many people living in South Africa risk familial hypercholesterolaemia, where high cholesterol levels are the result of specific genetic defects.

Hyperhomocysteinemia
Homocysteine is a naturally occurring, sulfur-containing amino acid in the blood that requires enzymes, vitamin B12, folic acid, and other vitamins to be converted to the essential amino acid methionine. Several conditions (such as deficiencies of certain vitamins in the body, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, or genetic defects) may cause homocysteine levels to rise.