The challenge:
FH is a genetically inherited condition passed down through families which can lead to extremely high cholesterol levels. It affects 1 in 250 people in the UK, yet over 90% of cases are still undiagnosed.
Without treatment, FH can lead to heart disease at a young age. Identifying affected individuals before the onset of disease is important because treatments can be put in place that promotes a healthy, active life and lowers blood cholesterol levels, all of which substantially reduce the risk of heart disease.
Please click here for information regarding our work in FH detection through the national Child Parent Screening programme.
Resources:
Free e-learning: Management of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in General Practice
The Royal College of GPs has recently launched a short ‘Management of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in General Practice’ course, designed to enable primary care health care professionals to better identify, and understand the causes of, FH in patients. This e-learning course will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Programme webinar and blog
Read our blog which hears from Gloucestershire GP, Dr Amy Howarth about her practice’s experiences of piloting the screening programme.
FH – a patient’s story
Leanne has been diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia which has also led to several of her family members also being diagnosed with FH. Hear her story and how she manages her genetic condition in this short video from Health Innovation North East & North Cumbria:
