This study is the gold standard for diagnosis of most cardiac conditions. For a brief tour of ECC, click here . The specialized radiologic suite where cardiac catheterization is performed. Cholesterol A complex fatty molecule made by the liver and transported to the body in the circulating blood. Cholesterol is a 4 ring organic compound which is part of the normal cell wall of most mammalian cells.
Excess cholesterol occurs in patients who either produce too much or fail to metabolize cholesterol.
The walls of some arteries absorb circulating cholesterol and other fats from the blood and slowly form a reaction called atheromatous plaque. As this builds up, the artery can be progressively blocked. When the heart cannot deliver enough blood to the body, then fluid is retained in the lungs or other tissues. Patients with severe heart failure are incapacitated by symptoms of shortness of breath, air hunger when laying flat, fatigue, swelling in the feet, and other problems. Reduced life expectancy is common.