Five-Point Plan for Genetic High Cholesterol

The plan, which stems from a recent survey by the World Heart Federation and FH Europe, reflects the life-threatening nature of FH, as the disease is known.

Worldwide awareness of FH is low. And that’s a problem, because early diagnosis and treatment can allow people with FH to live longer, healthier lives. The five-point plan aims to reverse that trend through:

1. Awareness: Through events like FH Awareness Day, held every September 24, the public can become more aware of the disease. This is especially important since nine out of 10 patients born with FH are undiagnosed. It is also important to educate providers and the medical community, especially primary care clinicians, about diagnosis and treatment best practices.
2. Screening: Universal screening and testing efforts through population-wide blood lipid tests and genetic testing can play an important role.
3. Treatment: Access to medication is an integral part to the five-point plan, as nearly 100% of people with FH will need cholesterol-lowering medications. But treatment is not medication alone. It also includes access to clinicians through follow-up and monitoring processes.
4. Family-based care plan: Due to the genetic nature of FH, it is important to involve patients and their families in this process. Engaging patients in shared decision-making, providing social support, and offering occasions for self-empowerment can all help contribute to improve care.
5. Registries: These are an extremely helpful tool in collecting and organizing health and disease data and evaluating health outcomes.

Raising awareness about FH is important to improving diagnosis rates and increasing patients’ chances of accessing treatment. This five-point plan, works to bring together different stakeholders for a multi-faceted approach to improving the lives of those across the world with familial hypercholesterolemia.