Cholesterol Support Programme

Your surgery has prioritised you as someone who may benefit from a high cholesterol support programme. Cholesterol is a form of fat and high levels in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease. We are working with healthcare professionals across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough to help educate and, where appropriate, treat people with high blood cholesterol. High cholesterol can be caused by a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. We aim to find and treat this as early as possible to prevent complications and improve your health.

A new Familial Hypercholesterolaemia identification service is being run in partnership with your GP practice, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS) and the Eastern AHSN (Academic Health Science Network).

What is familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)?

Occasionally, high cholesterol can be caused by a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. It is particularly important that we find these patients as this condition is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular complications in all ages.

The condition affects between 1 in 250 and 1 in 500 people.

What are the symptoms?1

Having a high blood cholesterol won't make you feel ill, and the only way of knowing if you may have FH is through a blood test.

The most important feature of FH is the development of heart disease at a young age. FH leads to fatty build-up within the walls of the blood vessels in the heart. This can put you at risk of a heart attack as a young adult. This can be avoided through early detection and treatment.

Other features can include fatty deposits around the body, in areas such as the elbows, knees, tendons and eyelids.

How is FH diagnosed?

People with family members diagnosed with FH, or a cholesterol level above a certain level will be referred to a specialist lipid clinic, where DNA testing can confirm the diagnosis.

What happens if I have confirmed FH?

If the DNA test is positive for FH, then other family members should be referred for DNA testing to see if they have FH as well.

The main treatment for FH is through cholesterol-lowering treatments, such as a medication called a statin. This medication is taken lifelong to reduce cholesterol levels and to protect the heart.

Lifestyle factors to maintain a healthy heart1:

  • Avoid smoking - smoking increases your risk of complications from FH and reduces your cardiovascular health.
  • Exercise - 30 minutes of moderate/high intensity physical activity at least five times a week will improve your cardiovascular health.
  • Maintain a normal weight - improves cardiovascular health.
  • Healthy eating - eating healthily is good for general wellness, though will not significantly affect cholesterol levels in FH.

Why have I received this text?

NHSpatient is a service provided by Eclipse, an organisation that works directly with the Department of Health and GP surgeries. All information about you is kept confidential and only shared virtually with your own healthcare professionals.

More information:

If you would like more information about FH, please visit the link below:

Familial hypercholesterolaemia| British Heart Foundation - BHF

1https://patient.info/heart-health/high-cholesterol/familial-hypercholesterolaemia

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