Understanding Familial Hypercholesterolemia & Its Management

If you have familial hypercholesterolemia, your body processes cholesterol differently, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

Inherited genetic changes cause familial hypercholesterolemia. Symptoms may not appear until adulthood, even though the disorder is present from birth. Children inheriting the disease from both parents often show symptoms, and in severe cases left untreated, it can lead to fatality before age 20.

Treatment options for both types of familial hypercholesterolemia include various medications and adopting healthy lifestyle activities.

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How to Identify Hypercholesterolemia?

Familial hypercholesterolemia causes extremely high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in both adults and children. LDL cholesterol, known as "bad" cholesterol, can accumulate in arterial walls, causing them to harden and narrow.

Signs of excess cholesterol may appear in specific areas:

Skin: Cholesterol deposits are commonly found on hands, knees, elbows, and around the eyes.
Tendons: The Achilles tendon and tendons in the hands may thicken due to cholesterol deposits.
Eyes: High cholesterol levels can cause a corneal arcus, a white or grey ring around the iris, typically seen in older adults but also present in younger individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia.

What Causes Hypercholesterolemia?

A gene change inherited from one or both parents leads to familial hypercholesterolemia. This change prevents the body from getting rid of cholesterol, which can accumulate in the arteries and lead to heart disease.

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The Risk Factors of Hypercholesterolemia

A diet high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol-rich foods
Lack of physical activity
Family history of high cholesterol
Increasing age
Male gender (until menopause)
Obesity
Smoking
Medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease
Certain medications
High intake of refined sugars and carbohydrates

Cardiovascular Complications From Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of heart disease and early death. Heart attacks can strike men before the age of 50 and women beyond the age of 60. If left undiagnosed or untreated, a more severe and uncommon form of the condition can occur and prove fatal before age 20.

Can Hypercholesterolemia be Cured?

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) cannot be cured, but it can be effectively managed. Timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve overall health and life expectancy.

Medical Treatment

If blood cholesterol levels remain high despite lifestyle changes, medication may be prescribed. The choice of medication depends on factors such as age, health status, and individual risk factors:

Medication: Prescribed to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart attacks and death.

Managing familial hypercholesterolemia involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medical treatment to optimise health outcomes.

Managing Hypercholesterolemia with Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies

Incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine can help to minimize the risk of heart disease and manage cholesterol levels effectively:

Lose weight: Weight loss can significantly lower cholesterol levels.
Eat a heart-healthy diet: Focus on whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and limit trans and saturated fats.
Exercise regularly: Engage in moderate-intensity workouts for at least 30 minutes daily to improve quality of life.
Quit smoking: Stop smoking to combat the illness and improve overall health effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by high levels of cholesterol in the blood, specifically elevated LDL cholesterol.

Hypercholesterolemia can be caused by genetic factors (familial hypercholesterolemia) or lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity.

Hypercholesterolemia typically doesn't cause symptoms until complications arise, such as atherosclerosis or cardiovascular disease.

Hypercholesterolemia is diagnosed through a lipid profile blood test, which measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Untreated hypercholesterolemia can lead to serious health problems like coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Treatment often involves lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and, if necessary, medications like statins to lower cholesterol levels.