Page 20 - Mended Hearts-HeartGuide
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WHAT IS FH? Genes – Yes, you can inherit high levels of LDL and triglycerides,
or low levels of HDL cholesterol, from your parents or other
Familial hypercholesterolemia family members.
(FH) is a genetic disorder in
which LDL cholesterol is present Age – The older you get, the more likely you are to have abnormal
in very high levels from birth. cholesterol levels. Past the age of 65, the risk
The severity of FH depends on increases significantly.
a person’s genetic profile. If a
person with FH inherited one Other health conditions can also put you at risk of high cholesterol,
faulty gene from a parent, that including liver disease, diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease,
person’s LDL cholesterol level and pancreatic disease. If you have two or more of any of the risk
can be two to three times higher factors, you’re more apt to develop high cholesterol.
than normal. But if a person
inherits two faulty genes (one How to Check My Blood Cholesterol Level
from each parent), it can be
worse—LDL levels three to six The most common method for determining your cholesterol number is
times higher than normal. Talk to the fasting lipoprotein profile. The “fasting” part of the profile means
your doctor to see if you should that prior to the blood test, you had no food or drink for a period of
be tested for FH. Learn more at time beforehand—usually eight hours.
www.thefhfoundation.org.
This simple blood test measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels to get an overall picture of
the presence of cholesterol in your bloodstream. The blood test itself
takes only a few minutes and your health care team will usually go over
the results with you in a future office visit or over the phone.
Understand the Cholesterol Numbers
Health care teams use one or more sets of clinical guidelines to
determine your cholesterol situation and relative risk of cardiovascular
disease. Talk with your health care team about your numbers and what
they mean, as well as any other medical conditions and risk factors you
may have. And ask what your goal should be.
Treatment for High Cholesterol
If your critical numbers are not within healthy ranges, you may very
well be at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Your health care
team will work with you to help you make improvements to your
overall health and keep your risks for serious conditions at bay.
Although medicine can be necessary to lower your cholesterol, it’s
always important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating
right and getting regular exercise. Talk with your doctor before starting
any diet or exercise program.
16 Mended Hearts HeartGuide
