It is especially important that those with increased risks, such as serious heart disease, take these steps. Click here to learn steps you can take to help protect yourself if you have serious heart disease. Be sure to keep taking prescribed FH medications including statins and PCSK9 inhibitors as directed by your healthcare provider.
Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra FH medications. Consider telemedicine appointments if you need to see your healthcare provider. Familial hypercholesterolemia FH is a genetic disorder that affects about 1 in people and increases the likelihood of having coronary heart disease at a younger age.
For people with FH, exercising and healthy eating habits are important, but often not enough to lower their cholesterol to a healthy level. Medicines, such as statins, are needed to help control cholesterol levels. If your child is diagnosed with FH, statin therapy in childhood may be required, often starting by age In addition, most people with FH have a family health history of early heart disease or heart attacks.
In some cases, elevated LDL levels are found through routine blood cholesterol screening. If you have a family health history of heart disease or FH and have not had your cholesterol screened, your doctor may order a lipid screening, which measures the amount of cholesterol and lipids in your blood. Some may need bypass surgeries before adulthood.
Without treatment, people with homozygous FH rarely live into their 20s. One symptom is cholesterol deposits in the Achilles tendons or the tendons of the hands or elbows.
People with FH can also develop cholesterol deposits in other places, such as around the eyes. Familial hypercholesterolemia is often diagnosed based on a combination of physical exam findings and lab results, as well as personal and family history. FH can also be discovered through molecular diagnosis, genetic diagnosis or genetic testing. If one person in a family has FH, all first-degree relatives — parents, siblings, children — should be checked for it. Children with increased risk for FH should be screened beginning at age 2.
All children should have their cholesterol checked between age 9 and 11 and again between ages 17 and Children may be started on medication as early as age 8 or 10 if their cholesterol is high enough or if their family history makes it prudent.
FH remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. But people with FH have an excellent prognosis if the condition is identified early and treated appropriately. Treatment usually involves a statin drug, and other cholesterol-lowering medications such as ezetimibe may also be required.
People with extremely high LDL cholesterol, such as those with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, may need to undergo a treatment called LDL apheresis. Another class of lipid-lowering medications, bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine or colesevelam , may also be used. These drugs reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines. Doctors can detect FH from an early age with lipid screening and genetic testing. However, if the tests indicate signs of FH, the whole family may wish to undergo screening, as others may have inherited FH and could pass it on to their children.
Several medications, such as statins, can help a person reduce their cholesterol levels. Managing lifestyle choices and diet can also lessen the risk of complications, such as heart attack.
Cardiovascular disease affects the heart and blood vessels. There are many types, including coronary artery disease, angina, and heart failure…. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain and shortness of breath.
People should call the emergency services if they suspect a heart attack. Eating a healthy diet is one way to keep cholesterol levels in check. Learn which foods to avoid and which to prioritize to maintain healthy…. Natural ways to lower cholesterol include replacing trans fats and saturated…. Exercise involves physical activity, exerting the body with movement, and increasing the heart rate. Exercise is vital for looking after and improving….
What to know about pure hypercholesterolemia. Medically reviewed by Dr. Payal Kohli, M. Causes Risk factors Symptoms Complications Diagnosis Treatment Summary Pure or familial hypercholesterolemia is a condition in which a genetic anomaly causes high cholesterol levels.
Risk factors. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. What to know about cardiovascular disease. What to do in the event of a heart attack.
Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, RN. Foods high in cholesterol: What to know Eating a healthy diet is one way to keep cholesterol levels in check. Natural ways to lower cholesterol. What to know about exercise and how to start.
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