General
Information: Inherited High Cholesterol
| What
are inherited high cholesterol
disorders? |
MED-PED
will initially focus
on the most frequently-occurring
inherited cholesterol
disorder, namely familial
hypercholesterolaemia
(FH). FH is a genetic
disorder that causes
very high cholesterol
levels. These levels
are about twice normal,
and often over 10 mmol/l
(386 mg/dl). FH occurs
in approximately 1 person
in 500 (0.2%) of the
general population.
|
| What
are the dangers of FH? |
Left
untreated, FH is likely
to cause premature death
from heart attack (often
in men aged less than 55
and in women less than
65).
|
| Can
FH be treated and what
are the benefits of treatment? |
If
treated effectively, cholesterol
levels can be reduced to
near normal, and the risk
of premature heart attack
substanially reduced. Such
treatment has been shown
to result in regression
of coronary artery disease
and reduced heart-related
illnesses in both men and
women with FH.
These
benefits of treatment
are likely to be
greater if treatment
is begun early
in life.
|
| How
can FH be detected? |
Detection
of FH is possible through
the measurement of cholesterol
in the relatives of those
who are affected with FH.
Elevated blood cholesterol
levels are found in about
50% of family members,
while the other 50% have
normal cholesterol levels
and do not have FH.
It
is very important
to detect the presence
of FH in children
and young adults
in order to institute
treatment as early
in life as possible.
|
| How
is FH inherited? |
Because
the gene for FH is a dominant
gene, relatives with FH
will pass the condition
on to their children of
whom, on average, 50% will
be affected and 50% will
be normal.
The
key to the diagnosis
of FH lies in the
family tree. One
side of the family
will have had several
members affected
by premature death
from either heart
attack or sudden
death from unknown
cause (presumed
heart attack).
|
| Why
participate in MEDPED? |
MED-PED
saves lives. Participation
in MED-PED will help to
detect family members with
FH and improve their treatment
in order to prevent future
heart attack.
|
|
PH:
(03) 9739 7697 | FAX: (03) 9739 7076
AAS Secretariat: 4/184 Main Street
Lilydale, VIC. 3140
Australia
|