“Having the opportunity to participate in a hands-on strategy session with the American Heart Association around targeting lowering cholesterol was extremely important. As an FH Advocate, it’s important to have a voice in educating the public, increasing awareness, and sharing the patient perspective.” – Michael Overstreet

the Family Heart Foundation was proud to join the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) Target Cholesterol Summit on April 10th, 2017 in Dallas, TX. Patients, healthcare providers, and advocacy organizations came together to collectively strategize on evidence-based tactics to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of high cholesterol in an effort to achieve the AHA/ASA 2020 Impact Goal to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by 2020. Presentations and panel discussions by patients and distinguished experts in the field addressed the current challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers such as communication barriers, access to treatment, and lifestyle compliance.


Family Heart Foundation Advocates for Awareness, Michelle Watts, Michael Overstreet, and Rhiannon Eades, represented the FH patient community. They were joined by Jasmine Patel, Outreach Coordinator, and Dr. Bill Neal, Chairman of the Board of the Family Heart Foundation. the Family Heart Foundation team shared the patient and healthcare provider perspectives on FH including obstacles the FH population faces and the importance of distinguishing Familial Hypercholesterolemia from other causes of high cholesterol. The Summit concluded by identifying actionable steps for the AHA to take with the help of other organizations. the Family Heart Foundation looks forward to working with the AHA to improve cholesterol management in all Americans.

“It was such an honor to represent the Family Heart Foundation at the AHA Cholesterol Summit to make sure the patient’s voice is part of the conversation about cholesterol. While there is still so much work to be done in educating the public about FH, I feel like being included in this Summit is a great step in the right direction. I am encouraged that so many doctors, nurses and researchers take cholesterol so seriously and want to help people live healthy lives. I really look forward to seeing what comes out of our discussions.” – Rhiannon Eades

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my perspective as both a patient with FH as well as the parent of a child with the rare form of FH – Homozygous FH. In the smaller, intimate setting of the Summit, attendees were able to concentrate specifically on issues related to identifying and treating FH. While working in small break-out groups, individuals across a broad spectrum were able to brainstorm and share ideas on the best way to identify and treat FH. We identified areas of concern, from how to educate and provide resources to those in lower income communities, to what changes need to be made with legislative and governmental policies, and much more.” – Michelle Watts