Peer Reviewed
Case studies
Father and daughter with the same cholesterol problem
Recent articles on:
Lipid disorders
Lipid disorders
Recent articles on:
Heart diseases
Heart diseases
Abstract
The initiation of statin therapy in middle-aged people with cholesterol problems is relatively straightforward; however, in teenagers with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia the timing of statin introduction is complex and specialist advice may be required.
Key Points
- Patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HFH) are at high risk of premature cardiovascular disease, and statin therapy is strongly indicated.
- High-dose statin therapy in combination with a second drug such as ezetimibe may be required to achieve goal LDL cholesterol levels in some patients.
- The children of patients with HFH should be tested for this condition. Affected patients will need dietary and statin therapy.
- The timing of introduction of statin therapy in teenagers is problematical and specialist advice may be required.
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