How do you overcome familial hypercholesterolemia?
The most common treatment for FH is statin drug therapy. Statin drugs work by blocking an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver and increases your body’s ability to remove cholesterol from the blood. They can lower your LDL cholesterol levels by 50 percent or more.
Can you live a long life with familial hypercholesterolemia?
FH has no cure, but it’s treatable. Life expectancy with FH is lower without treatment, but the sooner you receive a correct diagnosis and start medication, the better your outlook and life expectancy. FH is inherited from one or both of your parents and requires treatment with medication to lower your LDL cholesterol.
Can you cure homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia?
There is no cure for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the most severe form of FH.
Is familial hypercholesterolemia a heart condition?
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.
Is familial hypercholesterolemia serious?
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common life-threatening genetic condition that causes high cholesterol. Untreated, FH leads to early heart attacks and heart disease.
At what age is familial hypercholesterolemia diagnosed?
“FH should be recognized as a disease where medical treatment of heterozygous forms begins at age 8-10 years and homozygous forms begins at diagnosis.”
How do you know if you have homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia?
Diagnosing Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia HoFH can be diagnosed with a simple blood test, a physical exam, and family history. The signs and symptoms of HoFH, including the level of LDL-C, vary from person to person. HoFH may be confirmed with genetic testing.
How do you lower familial hypercholesterolemia naturally?
For people who don’t have FH, high cholesterol is often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. Lowering cholesterol naturally by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke is often the only treatment they need.