We often hear that cholesterol is bad for our health, but that’s not entirely true! Essential for the body to function, cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that helps in the building of cell membranes. Cholesterol also plays a role in the production of bile acids, a substance that aids in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins, steroid hormones and vitamin D. Bad cholesterol VS Good cholesterol As cholesterol is not soluble in the blood, it has to be transported by some special carriers known as lipoprotein. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells and causes cholesterol to build upon the walls of the arteries. This leads to health complications, hence LDL is also termed ‘bad cholesterol’. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as ‘good cholesterol’ as it carries excess cholesterol from the cells to the liver. This prevents the deposition of cholesterol on arterial walls. Causes of high cholestero

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure that moves the blood and is directly linked to heart health. Read on to find out what you will definitely need to know about blood pressure, and do remember to take them to heart. Qn 1: Why does the blood pressure tend to increase as we grow older? Ans:  As we age, our blood vessels age too, hence our blood pressure has a higher tendency of increasing. When our blood vessels age, cholesterol adheres to the vessels and they lose their elasticity. This is further worsened by being overweight and not exercising sufficiently. When blood pressure is high, it accelerates the hardening of the arteries (i.e. arteriosclerosis) and this increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Your blood pressure fluctuates constantly throughout the day. Monitoring your blood pressure daily may save your life! Qn 2: Why does my blood pressure differ every time I measure it? Ans:  The blood pressure fluctuates with the contraction of the heart