Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited genetic disorder that causes elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as "bad" cholesterol, in the blood. Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and also with the development of heart attacks and strokes at an early age. FH is caused by mutations in genes responsible for regulating the levels of cholesterol in the body. Symptoms may include high cholesterol levels, heart disease, and xanthomas (small yellow deposits of cholesterol under the skin). The diagnosis of FH is usually made through a combination of genetic testing, medical history, and a physical exam. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise, as well as cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins, and other lipid-lowering agents. In some cases, LDL apheresis (a procedure that removes cholesterol from the blood) may also be recommended.
NutraHacker examines the following gene related to Familial hypercholesterolemia:
For more information about your own genetic profile as related to Familial hypercholesterolemia, please check out our NutraHacker Critical Genetics Basic Report Description.
Or to get going without any further delay, upload raw DNA data and find out more about your Familial hypercholesterolemia profile today.