An inherited disorder that increases a person’s risk for high cholesterol

Expert Heart & Vascular Care

Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our heart or vascular specialists.

Request an Appointment

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.

If a family member is diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, you may want to consider genetic testing to determine whether you have the gene mutation and are at risk of passing it on to your children.

Genetic Counseling and Testing for Heart Conditions

Our cardiogenetics experts work to improve early detection and treatment for patients at risk for certain genetic heart conditions.

Learn More

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.