Contents
The Silent Killer in Your Genes: Why Familial Hypercholesterolemia Threatens Young Hearts
Published: Dec 03, 2023
Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that dramatically increases your risk of early heart disease. It's like having a ticking time bomb in your arteries from birth.
The Cholesterol Overload
In FH, a genetic defect causes your body to struggle with removing LDL (bad) cholesterol from your blood. This leads to dangerously high cholesterol levels from a very young age. Imagine your arteries like pipes slowly clogging with sticky cholesterol, increasing your risk of heart attacks and strokes decades earlier than normal.
The Sneaky Threat
What makes FH particularly dangerous is that it often has no symptoms until it's too late. You might feel perfectly healthy while cholesterol silently builds up in your arteries. Without treatment, men with FH have a 50% risk of a heart attack by age 50, and women have a 30% risk by age 60.
Beyond Cholesterol: The Ripple Effect
FH doesn't just affect your heart. The constant exposure to high cholesterol can damage blood vessels throughout your body. This increases your risk of other problems like stroke, peripheral artery disease, and even Alzheimer's disease. FH can also cause visible cholesterol deposits on your skin or tendons, which can be socially distressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, FH usually requires medication along with a healthy lifestyle.
Yes, children with FH can develop heart disease in their teens or 20s.
It can increase risk up to 20 times compared to people without FH.
Knowledge is Power
Understanding your FH risk is the first step in preventing its potentially devastating consequences.
References
- Nordestgaard BG, et al. Eur Heart J 2013; 34:3478.
- Nanchen D, et al. Circulation 2016; 134:698.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Appointments available 24/7
Top licensed doctors
Available in all 50 states
Full service care
Prescriptions, referrals & treatment
No insurance needed
All notes available in Doctronic
15-min consultation. No hidden costs.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Please Chat With Our AI Doctor First
Our AI doctor assessment helps our human doctors prepare for your video visit and provide better care
For safety reasons we have been forced to end this consultation.
If you believe this is a medical emergency please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
If you are experiencing emotional distress, please call the the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your local crisis services immediately.
Contact us
You can also email us at help@doctronic.ai
We aim to reply within 5-7 days
How likely are you to recommend Doctronic to friends or family?