A family history of high cholesterol, or familial hypercholesterolemia, puts you at increased risk of an abnormally high low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, level. Doctors refer to LDL cholesterol as bad cholesterol, as a high serum level of the substance substantially increases your cardiac risk. Although familial hypercholesterolemia is tougher to treat than other types, you can take measures to increase your cardiovascular health.
Step 1
Know your risk factors. Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant genetic trait. You need only to inherit the trait from one parent to develop the condition. If you inherit the trait from both parents, which does occur, although rarely, you are at a significantly increased risk for severely increased cholesterol levels. If she suspects familial hypercholesterolemia, expect your doctor to ask questions regarding your family's history of early cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. If the information your provide warrants genetic testing, expect your doctor to order those tests as well.
Step 2
Change your lifestyle. Modifying your diet is one important lifestyle change. Reduce the total amount of fat you eat each day to 30 percent of your total caloric intake. Eliminate consumption of organ meats, egg yolks and palm and coconut oils. Replace full-fat dairy products with low-fat alternatives and reduce the amount of meat you eat. Regular exercise is important, as is weight loss if necessary. Also, if you smoke, quitting the habit is the most important change you can make to lower your cardiac risk.
Step 3
Explore treatment options with your doctor. Take cholesterol-lowering medications as prescribed. Since familial hypercholesterolemia results in high LDL cholesterol levels, expect your doctor to recommend a statin medication. Statins are effective in treating high LDL cholesterol. Additional cholesterol-lowering medications include nicotinic acid, bile acid-sequestering resins and fibrates. If your cholesterol level is excessively high, your condition may warrant an intervention known as extracorporeal apheresis, a procedure involving the filtration of excess LDL cholesterol from your blood.
