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
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Cardiology
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Adele M. Brooks, CRNP
Cardiology
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Jonathan E. Patrick, MD
Cardiology
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Abigail E. Davenport, CRNP
Cardiology
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Jennifer Audibert, CRNP
Cardiology
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John J. Kennedy, MD
Cardiology
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Meena V. Shah, MD
Cardiology
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Jennifer Rebecca Brown, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology & Cardiology
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Alexander Ryzhikov, MD
Cardiology
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Amanda A Kurtz, PA-C
Cardiology
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Robert A Lager, MD
Cardiology
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Kristina M. Hidalgo, ACNP-BC
Cardiology
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Amish V. Shah, MD
Cardiology
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Adinath A. Patil, MD
Cardiology
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Jared Michael Widell, MD
Cardiac Imaging & Cardiology
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Najdat Bazarbashi, MD
Cardiology
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Louis K Essandoh, MD
Cardiology
Ask MHVI
Have questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net.