Motorcycle Saves Lives

At age 43 after recovering from an emergency quadruple bypass to save his life from what would have been a fatal, “widow-maker heart attack,” Scott asked his surgeon “why did this happen to me?” He only offered: “you have heart disease in your family.” Since Scott already knew his family’s heart history, and he had been living a heart-healthy lifestyle for most of his life; he left feeling with little hope that a heart attack wouldn’t happen again.

Then, Scott had his kids tested and discovered all three had very high cholesterol. It was the first time that he first heard the name of the disorder that had nearly taken his life one year earlier –  “Familial Hypercholesterolemia.” Most importantly, he learned since this cause of the high cholesterol is due to genetics, people with FH start depositing cholesterol in their arteries beginning at birth.

FH is very common, affecting every 1 in 250 people; yet sadly, only 10% of people with FH know that they have it. Without treatment, FH leads to early heart disease, including heart attacks, strokes and even death. However, with knowledge and awareness that you have it, FH is very easy to manage.  In most cases, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent heart disease and give, decades of extra life.

Today, there are 9 million registered motorcycles in America.  Statistically, this means that approximately 32,400 motorcyclists have FH and don’t know they have it yet.

At its core, “Motorcycle Saves Lives” is a conversation-starter to help people understand the importance of getting their cholesterol checked and how cholesterol is linked to heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Today, 1 in 10 heart attacks under the age of 45 are caused by FH. Sadly, many of these heart attacks could be delayed or avoided.

“Motorcycling has been a passion in my life since I was a kid and I want to share this important message with others in the motorcycling community,” added Scott. “It’s the same as if we are on a group-ride and I’m the lead bike…it’s my job to identify hazards and pass that information back to the other riders following behind me to keep them safe.”

FH, also called inherited cholesterol, runs in families. FH does not need to cause heart disease, if found early.

Doctors that specialize in FH and cholesterol, can help you get on the right path.

9 in 10 people born with FH are not diagnosed today. the Family Heart Foundation is changing that through FIND FH.