Table of Contents
As public health awareness increases, more and more people are paying attention to the health effects of excess cholesterol. But sometimes, no matter how hard you stop eating and exercising, your cholesterol level is still high, you may be suffering from congenital family hypercholesterolemia (Familial Hypercholesterolemia). If bad cholesterol is not reduced to target levels with early treatment, such as medications, it may increase the risk of heart disease at a younger age.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood, both “good” and “bad”, bad cholesterol accumulates in the blood vessels causing plaque and inflammatory reactions, becoming one of the culprits that cause illness coronary heart and stroke, and familial hypercholesterolemia can cause patients. suffer from high cholesterol early or at a young age.
Trying hard to stop, but still going over the limit
“Patients have inherited a problematic gene, which affects the body’s ability to make cholesterol. Even if they try to stop smoking, their cholesterol can be higher than 5.0 (mmol/L, the one thing below), or even reaching very high levels of 6.0 or 7.0. Very high at a younger age, genetic causes of high cholesterol should be suspected.”
This type of hereditary high cholesterol is not uncommon among them, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), which is inherited from the father or the mother, is about one case in every 300 people, and true cases of familial hypercholesterolemia ( HeFH), that is. Zygotic familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is extremely rare, with only one case occurring in approximately 300,000 people.
Ongoing treatment is required
Huang Zhiyuan said that hereditary high cholesterol puts patients at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, but it is not impossible to treat as long as patients receive drug treatment and change their lifestyle, it can for them to reduce and manage bad cholesterol levels effectively. However, some patients understand that the medicine can be stopped once the level of bad cholesterol reaches the target. In fact, patients with familial hypercholesterolemia need continuous treatment to prevent problems such as cardiovascular diseases. decrease
“Sometimes we come across familial hypercholesterolemia patients in their thirties and forties who undergo surgery called ‘Tong Bo Tsai’ usually because of severe blockages in their heart vessels. solve a problem.” He was still young, so he stopped receiving regular consultations and medication. As a result, his blood vessels narrowed and became blocked again two or three years later, and he was sent to hospital for emergency treatment.”
Aims to reduce bad cholesterol
For patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, the choice of treatment depends on the level and risk of severe excess cholesterol. “According to the guidelines, patients with familial hypercholesterolemia are at high risk and must reduce bad cholesterol by at least half to a level of 1.8 or lower.” It may be necessary, along with diet and exercise, cholesterol levels can be effectively controlled However, if the increase is severe, several drug treatments may be necessary.
Medicines can be used together
Different drugs lower cholesterol in different ways. For example, statins can reduce the production of cholesterol in the liver, cholesterol absorption inhibitors can prevent the intestines from absorbing cholesterol from food, and injections of PCSK9 inhibitors can reduce the liver’s ability to remove bad cholesterol Oral drugs ACL inhibitors can prevent cholesterol synthesis.
“Statins have the most clinical data and have very satisfactory healing effects. If necessary, cholesterol intake and injections can be restricted to improve the therapeutic effect, asking to take injections, patients can consider using new oral medications instead. Research data shows that new oral ACL inhibitors combined with statins, or combined with cholesterol inhibitors, can also reduce bad cholesterol levels by about 20 to 40%.
2024-11-25 20:29:00
#Children #hereditary #high #cholesterol #suffer #tuberculosis #am730
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of routine genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia in newborns?
This news article discusses the treatment of young patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol levels.
Here are some open-ended questions that could foster discussion and diverse viewpoints:
**Thematic Sections:**
* **Understanding Familial Hypercholesterolemia:**
* What are the challenges young people with familial hypercholesterolemia face compared to adults with the condition?
* How can families better support children diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia?
* What kind of long-term health impacts can untreated familial hypercholesterolemia have on young people?
* **Treatment Options and Decision-Making:**
* The article mentions various treatment options. What factors should doctors consider when recommending a specific treatment plan for a young patient?
* Should children be involved in the decision-making process regarding their treatment? How can we ensure their voices are heard?
* What are the potential side effects of the different medications discussed, and how can these be managed?
* **Lifestyle Choices and Support:**
* Beyond medication, what role does diet and exercise play in managing familial hypercholesterolemia in children?
* How can schools and communities better support children with this condition?
* What resources are available for families struggling to cope with the diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia in their children?
* **Ethical Considerations:**
* The article mentions that some treatments may involve injections. What ethical considerations arise when treating young patients with potentially invasive procedures?
* Should genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia be offered routinely to newborns? What are the pros and cons of early detection?
* How can we balance the benefits of treatment with the potential risks and burdens on young patients?
**General Discussion Prompts:**
* What are your thoughts on the statement that young patients “should not stop taking medicine on their own or miss follow-up appointments because of their youth”?
* Do you think enough awareness exists about familial hypercholesterolemia? How can we raise awareness and encourage early detection?
Remember to create a safe and supportive environment for discussion, where all perspectives are valued and respected.