Faulty gene causing dangerous cholesterol may leave 250,000 at risk of coronary

A genetic condition which causes high cholesterol could bring on an early heart attack

A GENETIC condition which causes dangerously high cholesterol could be putting 250,000 people at risk of an early heart attack.

 

New UK figures from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) show that double the number of people may be living with the deadly inherited gene which causes familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) than previously thought.

However, many of these people have not been identified. Figures show that only around 20,000 people are being treated in specialist clinics for the condition.

If all of the estimated 250,000 people with the FH gene in the UK were identified and treated, as many as 25,000 deaths could be avoided, the BHF said.

It is now calling on NHS services across the country to urgently roll-out a nationwide testing programme for affected families.

FH is caused by a genetic fault that leaves people with dangerously high cholesterol from birth, significantly increasing their risk of a heart attack.

 

Around 250,000 could be affected by this condition

FFH is often called a hidden killer, but the truth is it doesn't have to be hidden and it doesn't have to be fatal       

Professor Peter Weissberg

On average, FH can shorten life expectancy by 20 to 30 years if left untreated. Statins - which lower cholesterol - may be prescribed to adults or children over 10 who have the condition.

Recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) say adults with a total cholesterol level above 7.5mmol/l before any treatment should be tested for FH.

It also says the NHS should roll-out FH testing for families where one person has been identified as carrying the gene.

Typically, if one person is found to have FH, half of their brothers and sisters and half of their children will also have the faulty gene and be at a higher risk of early onset of heart disease, including a heart attack.

The BHF said the setting up of FH services has been slow in England and Scotland. It is funding 25 FH nursing posts across 13 different locations to increase testing.

 

If the gene is identified and treated, it could save up to 25,000 lives

Professor Peter Weissberg medical director of the BHF, said: "FH is often called a hidden killer, but the truth is it doesn't have to be hidden and it doesn't have to be fatal; treatment to prevent heart attacks is straightforward once the condition has been identified.

"The job we face now is to raise awareness of FH and change the hearts and minds of commissioners and others who purchase healthcare services to ensure that this is the last generation where families are left at high risk of early heart attacks."

If people are diagnosed early enough and given early statin treatment, lifestyle advice and careful monitoring, the life expectancy of someone with FH rises to match that of someone in the general population.

Professor Huon Gray, national clinical director for heart disease at NHS England, said more work needed to be done to improve testing rates.

He added: "We all have a role to play in ensuring that future generations aren't put at an increased risk of early heart attacks."