Warning over inherited risk of high cholesterol

Inherited risk of high cholesterol should be identified and treated as early as possible, NICE says in updated guidance.

NICE has said that medical records should be checked to identify people who may be at risk of common inherited cholesterol disorder familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH).

The guideline recommends those at risk of FH should be offered DNA tests to check if they have the condition. Previously, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels have been used but they are not always accurate.

It is possible to identify family members who may be at risk; siblings and children of people with FH have a 50 per cent risk of inheriting the condition.

The guideline also recommends that people who develop cardiovascular disease before the age of 60 are offered a cholesterol reading to see whether they are at risk of FH.

Treatment for FH usually involves statins that reduces the high levels of cholesterol. These should be offered to children identified with FH by the age of 10, NICE says.

Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at NICE, said: “Familial hypercholesterolaemia is a serious, often undiagnosed but relatively common condition which, if treated early, ideally in childhood, will not affect normal life expectancy for the majority of people with it.

“It’s also important that family members of people diagnosed with FH are traced and offered a gene test to see if they also have the condition and therefore need treatment.”

Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “It’s disappointing that we have the ability to diagnose and treat people with FH, yet 85 per cent remain undiagnosed and at risk of a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke. These new guidelines, based on the best available evidence, provide a clear approach to managing FH that could ultimately save lives.”