08/03/2019
We need to raise awareness and find these people
Three thousand people across England and Scotland have now been diagnosed with life threateningly high cholesterol, thanks to funding by the BHF.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an inherited condition that causes exceptionally high levels of bad cholesterol, increasing the risk of having a heart attack from a young age.
It is estimated that 260,000 people in the UK are living with FH. However, of that number, as many as 93% could still be undiagnosed.
Alan Leaning was diagnosed with FH after he had a heart attack at his nephewâs birthday party, aged 31. Alan, who is an aircraft engineer from Luton, has a family history of heart attacks. His maternal grandfather died of a heart attack, and his uncle also had one and survived. Following his diagnosis, two of Alanâs children tested positive for the condition and are now being treated.
Alan, now aged 36, said: âFor me, being diagnosed with FH is the only good thing to come from my heart attack. We now understand why so many people in my family have had heart attacks, and my family have been tested for the condition. Two of my three children have been diagnosed. Fortunately, we are able to manage the condition and my kids are being taught about what to eat and how bad smoking is.
âBefore my diagnosis I had no idea of what FH was. I had never heard of it, and never thought that my family history of heart disease was anything more than bad luck. Itâs scary to know that there are so many people out there living with FH who donât know they have it. People should take a look at their family history and speak to their doctor if heart disease is a common theme. It could literally save your life. Iâm grateful to the BHF for funding the genetic testing that diagnosed me and my family, and for their ongoing support.â http://bit.ly/2IPo1JV
