Research from Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City highlights the potential of genetic screening to identify individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), enabling them to receive treatment that could prevent heart attacks, strokes, and fatalities.
FH, an inherited condition affecting approximately 1 in 250 people, often manifests without symptoms until a heart attack occurs. For those with FH, conventional methods like dietary or behavioral changes cannot effectively lower “bad” cholesterol levels due to genetic factors, necessitating targeted medication therapy.
Stacey Knight, PhD, a cardiovascular and genetic epidemiologist at Intermountain Health, emphasized the importance of genetic testing for individuals with unexplained high cholesterol, as it allows for aggressive treatment to reduce the risk of major heart events.
The research findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023 in Philadelphia.
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