Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Your healthcare provider can make a familial hypercholesterolemia diagnosis based on:

Unusually high LDL levels
A history of coronary artery disease in your family or yourself at a young age
Symptoms linked to atherosclerosis at a younger age than usual
Abnormal skin findings like xanthomas or xanthelasmas
DNA test results

What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?

A provider can use a lipid panel or DNA test to make a familial hypercholesterolemia diagnosis.

A lipid panel blood test measures your cholesterol levels, including your LDL cholesterol. Children with familial hypercholesterolemia can have LDL levels higher than 160 mg/dL. Adults can have LDL of 190 mg/dL or higher. In people with the severe form, homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, LDL can be higher than 400 mg/dL.

A DNA test can find problems with one of the three genes researchers know can cause FH.

After you get an FH diagnosis, you can expect to see your provider regularly to check on your cardiovascular health.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.