1. What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a substance which is made up of fat, is made in the liver and is waxy. Cholesterol is found in every cell in our body and has many vital and important functions. When our body makes more than we can use, the excess is put back into the blood stream, elevating the level of cholesterol and risking the opportunity to cause a clog which might cause a stroke or heart attack.
2. Our Body and Cholesterol
If we ingest, or eat, too much saturated fat, our body may develop hypercholesterolemia. This type of fat is routinely found in dairy, eggs and meat products. Things such as vegetables, fruits and other grain foods are very low in cholesterol. They're great to eat if you are trying to reduce your cholesterol level.
3. Cholesterol and Genetics: The Link
Your genetic make up (your genes) determines to what extent your cholesterol level might be. When familial hypercholesterolemia is diagnosed in a person, it means that the person has a type of inherited high cholesterol level. This may run within the family unit and affect many other family members. Many other people who have diabetes within their family also run a high risk of inheriting a tendency toward high triglyceride levels, which is associated with another type of fat that helps to elevate the blood cholesterol levels. Most cases of hypercholesterolemia are not just caused by a single inherited condition but from a combination of things such as variations of genes, diet and lifestyle choices.
4. Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a condition where the high cholesterol level is due to a defect in their genetic make up. Children with an elevated cholesterol level can be diagnosed by doing a blood test for LDL. If this value is above 190, then it is most likely due to familial hypercholesterolemia. Other relatives who are at a higher risk level for contracting familial hypercholesterolemia should be tested and screened for this condition. It they do have it, they should be treated to avoid any future chances of having complications such as injury to their hearts or having a stroke at a young age.
5. Treatment Suggestions for Familial Hypercholesterolemia
The people that have this condition can decrease their risk for serious problems by following a diet low in cholesterol and taking any medications their doctor orders to help decrease the level. Exercising is another way to limit your chance of this disorder. Apheresis, a procedure that removes LDL from the blood thereby lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood, can be done as well. Medications, including those called statins that lower the cholesterol level, may be used to help prevent the build-up of cholesterol and further damage to any cells or organs that have been affected already.
