Guidelines

Which statin is best for familial hypercholesterolemia?

Which statin is best for familial hypercholesterolemia?

Rosuvastatin (Crestor) Rosuvastatin has the strongest lipid-lowering potential of all the statins currently available. It is indicated for adults with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia, homozygous FH, primary dysbetalipoproteinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia.

What is the most common cause of familial hypercholesterolemia?

Mutations in the APOB, LDLR, LDLRAP1, or PCSK9 gene cause familial hypercholesterolemia. Changes in the LDLR gene are the most common cause of this condition. The LDLR gene provides instructions for making a protein called a low-density lipoprotein receptor.

What happens if you have familial hypercholesterolemia?

People with FH have increased blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes called “bad cholesterol.” Having too much LDL cholesterol in your blood increases your risk for developing coronary artery disease or having a heart attack.

Do statins work for familial hypercholesterolemia?

They can lower your LDL cholesterol levels by 50 percent or more. Statins have been safely used to reduce the risk of heart disease for 30 years and continue to be the number one option when it comes to helping people with FH.

Why cholesterol accumulates in the blood of someone who has familial hypercholesterolemia?

*People with FH have a high amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” due to a mutation in one of the genes that controls the way cholesterol is cleared by the body. As a result, cholesterol accumulates in the bloodstream and can ultimately build up in the walls of the arteries.

How do you confirm familial hypercholesterolemia?

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can be diagnosed both clinically and genetically. FH is usually diagnosed clinically with a lipid test that measures the amount of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood, a physical exam, and a family history.

What do you need to know about familial hypercholesterolemia?

If your doctor suspects you have FH, he or she may refer you for genetic counseling and testing for FH. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can be caused by inherited changes (mutations) in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes, which affect how your body regulates and removes cholesterol from your blood.

What is the Montreal FH score for hypercholesterolemia?

The Montreal FH Score 31 predicts cardiovascular risk in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

How is hypercholesterolemia related to your genes?

Hypercholesterolemia is related to your genes, but doesn’t occur because of a specific gene mutation. It can be diagnosed in anyone, occurs because of lifestyle factors, and can be treated without medication. If you have FH, you can lower your cholesterol using medication prescribed by your doctor.

How does homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia differ from HoFH?

In heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), an individual inherits a DNA variant (alteration) for FH from one (affected) parent. In homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), an individual inherits a causal FH genetic variant from two affected parents. For the purposes of this report, “FH” will refer to HeFH unless otherwise stated.