Longevity logo

One of the main causes of young heart attacks is hereditary excess of cholesterol. Who is at risk for this problem? What modern approaches allow to treat this complex disease?

In the usual view, high cholesterol and associated heart ailments are a problem exclusively for the elderly. Alas, this is not the case. There are people who already have high blood cholesterol at a young age. And he, in turn, causes coronary heart disease, early heart attacks, strokes and even sudden cardiac death.

By ROBINSON JAMES HERBERTPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
Like
One of the main causes of young heart attacks is hereditary excess of cholesterol. Who is at risk for this problem? What modern approaches allow to treat this complex disease?
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash

Young heart attacks

One of the main causes of young heart attacks is hereditary excess of cholesterol. Who is at risk for this problem? What modern approaches allow to treat this complex disease?

Early starts

In the usual view, high cholesterol and associated heart ailments are a problem exclusively for the elderly. Alas, this is not the case. There are people who already have high blood cholesterol at a young age. And he, in turn, causes coronary heart disease, early heart attacks, strokes and even sudden cardiac death.

This problem is inherited and is officially called a complex term - familial hypercholesterolemia. The essence of the disease is a violation of fat metabolism. Members of the same family pass on modified genes from generation to generation. Even one such gene mutation is enough for the disease to manifest itself at a young and even childhood age.

The body triggers an uncontrolled growth of the so-called bad cholesterol. Against this background, the risk of early heart attack and stroke increases 20 times.

The problem is that the carriers of such genes for the time being do not realize that they have this insidious ailment. After all, high cholesterol does not hurt. And until a person has a heart attack, he lives quietly.

The only way to reduce the number of heart catastrophes is to educate people about their personal risk factors.

Important signs

To suspect this violation and, therefore, to take action in time, you can focus on your family history. If any of your relatives have suffered a heart attack or stroke before the age of 50-60, this may be due to high cholesterol. You are at risk and need to check your so-called "lipid profile".

This is the name of the analysis in which the level of bad and good fats is assessed. The level of total cholesterol is measured. Its fractions are high and low density. Such a study is useful for all relatives, regardless of their age.

Outward changes in high cholesterol, as a rule, are not manifested. Many patients with this ailment are quite normal or slightly overweight.

But in advanced cases, high "family cholesterol" can be noticeable externally. Sometimes it is deposited under the skin of the palms. In other cases, in the tendons of the elbows, knees and feet. White-yellow cholesterol deposits are also observed along the edge of the iris.

Don't miss these important signs. Go to the local doctor, to the health center first. Donate blood for cholesterol.

If your fat levels are elevated, genetic testing is helpful. You can find out the type of your hereditary disease from a geneticist. There are two forms of familial excess of cholesterol - one less, the other more severe. In the first case, one gene is changed, in the second - several at once. Your treatment will depend on the form of the gene disorder. A geneticist can calculate the risk of having a sick child in such a family.

This disease will have to be treated for a lifetime. After all, the body constantly produces cholesterol. This means that it is important to keep it under control at all times.

Regular adherence to the rules, taking medications and performing procedures will allow you to live in peace, without fear of sudden cardiovascular complications.

People with a single gene mutation are assigned a lifelong anti-cholesterol diet plus drugs that lower the level of bad fats in the blood. All saturated animal fats are excluded from the diet - fatty meat, fatty dairy products: butter, cheese, cream. On the other hand, unsaturated fats from fish and plant foods are recommended. Also, the menu should contain a lot of vegetables, fruits and berries.

Cleaning of blood vessels

The situation is more complicated if a person has changed several genes responsible for the metabolism of fats. Oftentimes, neither medication nor dietary treatment can help lower their cholesterol levels that are too high. Therefore, other techniques are used.

One of the most effective approaches is extracorporeal blood cleansing. A special device removes only bad cholesterol from the blood. A good one does not touch. Neither pills, nor even more so the liver itself will never cope with this task so quickly.

About 16 thousand patients have already passed through our center "Meds", and after treatment no one got bypass grafting, vascular stenting and did not get myocardial infarction.

Such procedures are carried out for both adults and children about once every 2-3 weeks. The more severe the child's condition, the more often he needs blood purification sessions.

Medicines to help

With high family cholesterol, drugs are always prescribed to lower its level in the blood. The earlier the patient begins to take them, the better the prospects. These drugs are represented by four groups of funds. Statins, resins, cholesterol reuptake inhibitors and preparations containing niacin.

Doctors prescribe them in combination or separately. Moreover, medications are prescribed not only for adults, but also for children with high family risk. If the level of total cholesterol exceeds 6.7 mole / L, and the level of bad cholesterol is above 4.0 mold / L, this is already the basis for taking medications. Moreover, if one of the parents of a child under 40 had heart problems.

The most important drugs are statins. They lower cholesterol levels in cells and inhibit the growth of cardiovascular problems.

More recently, a new therapy has been developed. The patient is injected with a drug that increases the number of certain receptors in the liver cells. They are sensitive to bad cholesterol. This allows the cell to pick up cholesterol. Its concentration in the blood decreases.

Whatever good medications you take, it does not absolve you from following a healthy lifestyle. Without quitting smoking and increasing physical activity, medications work halfway.

Lipid centers

A special program for the prevention of the disease and its exacerbations will be developed for them. It will include advice on lifestyle, nutrition, medication, family planning and children. There will also be compulsory screening programs for preschool and school children. While there are no such programs, taking care of the child's health rests on the shoulders of the family. With hereditary risks, a cholesterol test should be performed in children from the age of two. And then repeat at 10–12 years old and at 17–21 years old.

health
Like

About the Creator

ROBINSON JAMES HERBERT

I'm a worshiper of creativity and knowledge. I'm a researcher of many sectors. I like to write my own view on various subjects, and also like to write about techniques and tips. Follow me to get amazing information and tips.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.