Access Health from Lifetime Television brings awareness to the common genetic disorder, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), by airing the episode: “FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA – A DANGEROUS INHERITANCE”

Not only does this segment address the signs and symptoms of FH, it also includes a interview with an individual living with Homozygous FH, Family Heart Foundation Advocate for Awareness Allison Jamison, and Scientific Advisory Board member, Dr. James Underberg.

FH is an inherited disorder that leads to aggressive and premature cardiovascular disease. This includes problems like heart attacks, strokes, and even narrowing of our heart valves. For individuals with FH, although diet and lifestyle are important, they are not the cause of high LDL. In FH patients, genetic mutations make the liver incapable of metabolizing (or removing) excess LDL. The result is very high LDL levels which can lead to premature cardiovascular disease.There are two forms of FH. If you have inherited this genetic mutation from one parent, then you will have Heterozygous FH (HeFH). HeFH occurs in 1 in 250 people worldwide. If you inherit FH from both parents, it is much more severe in its consequences. This form of FH is called Homozygous FH (HoFH). It is very rare, occurring in about 1 in 160,000 to one million people worldwide. 90% of patients remain undiagnosed, learn the signs and symptoms today on Access Health!