COVID-19 and Heart Disease

Coronavirus virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread in the United States and worldwide. the Family Heart Foundation consults with leading experts to provide resources and up-to-date information for individuals living with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), high Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and cardiovascular disease.

It is crucial for everyone to follow the COVID-19 guidance provided by the CDC, which is updated daily. It is important for our FH community to be aware of the extra precautions sometimes required for persons with underlying medical conditions. While FH by itself does not put people at greater risk, those with cardiovascular disease caused by FH are considered high-risk. Often in FH families, there are one or more members who have established cardiovascular disease, and each of us has to think of our family members and others in our local community who have underlying medical conditions.

It is important to note that infection with COVID-19 has been associated with multiple cardiac complications including: heart attack, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), arrhythmias (heart rhythm disturbances) and blood clots. But as serious as this virus is, it's important to remember that most people will recover from a COVID-19 infection. Our aim at the Family Heart Foundation is to support and empower individuals to make the most informed medical choices.

We have compiled resources for you to help you stay informed.

COVID 19 Recommendations for individuals living with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

If you have FH, make sure you take all your cholesterol lowering and other medications without interruption.
- ACE/ARBs for blood pressure
- Statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9i, bempedoic acid, bile acid sequestrants, lomitapide (for HoFH only) for LDL lowering
- Lipoprotein Apheresis
Keep up with your FH care. Consider making a telemedicine appointment with your healthcare provider if it is time for your next appointment.
Following an infection, your health care provider may decide to intensify your lipid lowering treatments.
Follow government recommendations (CDC), wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing.

Dr Mary McGowan, Family Heart Foundation, and recommendations from Drs Alpo Vuorio, Gerald Watts & Petri Kovanen