People with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have high cholesterol levels. This condition is inherit autosomal, meaning one parent has the gene altered and will pass it on to the affected child. This means that a person with FH will have a 50 percent chance of getting the condition. In addition, a patient with FH will experience an increased risk of heart disease and a stroke. In some cases, patients may develop xanthomas, small bumps of fat under the skin.
Treatment of hypercholesterolemia can be individualize, depending on the cause. Lifestyle changes and medication are recommend for patients with FH. Dietary saturate fat intake should be limit to 30 grams per day for men, and 20 grams for women. Medication is sometimes use to treat hypercholesterolemia. The drug that is prescribe depends on the patient’s age, current health, and risk factors. However, treatment with a statin drug can significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Familial hypercholesterolemia is hereditary, which increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease.
It can also lead to heart attacks at an earlier age. In women, the risk is even higher for women than for men. In both cases, the medication will be accompanied by lifestyle changes. The medications are not dangerous to the liver and are safe when taken as directed. They can even improve a person’s quality of life.
If the patient has FH, the best treatment is modifying the diet and engaging in physical activity. A person with FH must limit their saturated fat intake to 30 grams for men and 20 grams for women. In some cases, the high cholesterol level requires the use of medication. The type of drug prescribed will depend on the patient’s age, current health, and risk factors. In addition, patients with hypercholesterolemia may also experience symptoms of depression, dementia, and other mental illnesses.
A person with FH may have an inheritable gene that causes excessive cholesterol levels in various tissues.
This type of FH is very rare, but it can occur in people with either type of gene. The condition is caused by an abnormality in the cholesterol-producing enzyme HDL. If your family has the disorder, it is important to have an accurate diagnosis. There are medications available to treat it, and lifestyle changes can reduce the levels of harmful cholesterol.
The condition may be hereditary. It is a genetic disorder that causes the excess cholesterol to accumulate in other tissues. Most cases of familial hypercholesterolemia are inherited, and the affected family member has a high risk for coronary artery disease. In cases of familial hypercholesterolemia, the LDL receptor is defective and is responsible for the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. It is rare for an affected individual to have two copies of the gene.
A family member with hypercholesterolemia may be at high risk for early heart attack or heart disease.
The risk for an early heart attack is significantly higher for people with FH. Although symptoms do not often appear until adulthood, the disease is typically inherited. If you have FH, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. A lipid profile will include total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In most cases, people with a high cholesterol level are at a greater than normal risk for heart disease.
Most cases of hypercholesterolemia are treatable with lifestyle modifications and medication. To improve cholesterol levels, patients should consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and avoid trans fats. For people with FH, eating more vegetables and fiber will help their blood levels of heart-protective antioxidants. The presence of these compounds in the blood can lower triglyceride levels. Those who are obese or have high levels of saturated fat should also avoid fatty foods.
If a family member has hypercholesterolemia, there are certain tests and treatments you can try. The blood tests mentioned above are useful in diagnosing FH, but there is no cure. For the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, dietary modifications and smoking cessation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Generally, FH can be treated with dietary changes. In some cases, medication may be necessary for a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia.
