What is familial hypercholesterolemia?
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder that affects about 1 in 250 people and increases the likelihood of having coronary heart disease at a younger age. People with FH have increased blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes called “bad cholesterol.”
How can I lower my LDL cholesterol with familial hypercholesterolemia?
With familial hypercholesterolemia, your doctor likely will also recommend that you take medication to help lower your LDL cholesterol levels. The specific medication or medications depend on various factors, including your risk factors, your age, your current health and possible side effects. Common medication choices include: Statins.
Does hypercholesterolemia affect women differently than men?
Women who have familial hypercholesterolemia also have an increased risk for heart attack, but it happens 10 years later than in men (so in their 50’s and 60’s). Familial hypercholesterolemia is inherited in families in an autosomal dominant manner.
What causes high cholesterol in FH patients?
People with FH have a high amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” due to a mutation in one of the genes that controls the way cholesterol is cleared by the body. As a result, cholesterol accumulates in the bloodstream and can ultimately build up in the walls of the arteries.
What is Nord physician guide for familial hypercholesterolemia?
The NORD Physician Guide for Familial hypercholesterolemia was developed as a free service of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and it’s medical advisors. The guides provide a resource for clinicians about specific rare disorders to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of their patients with this condition.
What are the health risks of hypercholesterolemia?
People with hypercholesterolemia have a high risk of developing a form of heart disease called coronary artery disease, as well as health problems related to the buildup of excess cholesterol in other tissues (e.g., in the tendons and skin).
Is xanthelasma a sign of high cholesterol?
In young people aged <45 years, 2 it is suggestive of FH. Xanthelasma is a yellowish deposit of lipid material found around the eyelid or medial canthus area. It may indicate high cholesterol levels but not necessarily FH (Figure 1D).