An inherited disorder that increases a person’s risk for high cholesterol
People with familial cholesterolemia have a genetic mutation that changes how the body processes cholesterol. This can increase your risk of atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries, and heart disease at a young age.
The gene mutation is passed on from parent to child. If one parent has familial hypercholesterolemia, each child has a 50 percent risk of having the disorder. If both parents have the genetic mutation, their child may have a more severe form of the disorder.
Tests
Diagnosing a potential heart or vascular condition is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.
Treatments
While lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, are the first line of defense, most people with familial hypercholesterolemia also will need to take a cholesterol-lowering medication.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
Cardiology
-
Kathleen N. Anthony-Dressel, FNP-C
Cardiology
-
Dweep Barbhaya, MD
Cardiology & Hospital Medicine
-
Shen Cao, MPAS, PA-C
Cardiology
-
George Hager Clements, MD
Cardiology
-
Cathryn Hodukavich, ACNP-BC, MSN
Cardiology
-
Brooke Elizabeth Huggins, MSPAS, PA-C
Cardiology
-
Rajiv Ashok Kabadi, MD
Electrophysiology & Cardiology
-
Seyed Ebrahim Kassaian, MD
Cardio-Oncology & Cardiology
-
Allison Jenna Krasnov, PA-C
Cardiology
-
Kristin Ellen Murphy, PA-C
Cardiology
-
Shreya Rao, MPAS, PA-C
Cardiology
-
Virginia E. Seay, CRNP, FNPBC
Cardiology
-
Narayana Sarma V Singam, MD
Cardiology & Critical Care Medicine
-
Ramarao Vunnam, MBBS
Cardiology
-
Patricia Davidson, MD
Cardiology
-
Salahadin Gharad, MD
Cardiology
Show All Cardiology
Related services
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.