Worried about Heart Attack

[Jamie123]

I am really worried as my mother was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia and originally when I heard about it I was not that worried but now I am completely stressing out as I have read up on it and how bad it is and I am 22 and have to worry about this all my life and am also worried about my mum now as this seems really bad. Was wondering if anyone knew anything about this and could help me find at least a little more of a positive view.Additionally I also have several symptoms such as left arm discomfort and light headedness so am worried I may already have CHD or something and that causes me to stress more. Thanks for reading.

---------- Post added at 11:09 ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 ----------

Just wanted to say also my mum was told that "The laboratory could not find a gene change which would cause your high cholesterol" but not sure what that means.

---------- Post added at 11:26 ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 ----------

Also found this link https://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2...olesterolaemia which said this
"Even
more surprising is that according to the The Simon Broome FH Register Group,
the mean life expectancy in FH is as long as for other people; more die from
CHD at a young age, but fewer die from cancer and other diseases later in life.16
These calculations were based on a selection of FH people with close relatives,
who had died early, and the authors therefore assumed that the prognosis would
have been even better for unselected individuals. Also, before 1900 their life
expectancy was longer than for the general population,17 probably
because high cholesterol protects against infectious diseases,18 the
commonest cause of death at that time." which sounds good but am unsure how good the source is

[RadioGaGa]

Hi Jamie 123

If there is a history of FH it's important you get your cholesterol checked. This can then be treated.

The BMJ is a very reliable source. However I have never heard of people with high cholesterol living longer - if that were true, surely we wouldn't treat it? So please don't let your cholesterol go unchecked because of that one article.

You don't need to panic but definitely get it checked soon and follow your doctors advice.

Good luck

[Jamie123]

Hi Jamie 123

If there is a history of FH it's important you get your cholesterol checked. This can then be treated.

The BMJ is a very reliable source. However I have never heard of people with high cholesterol living longer - if that were true, surely we wouldn't treat it? So please don't let your cholesterol go unchecked because of that one article.

You don't need to panic but definitely get it checked soon and follow your doctors advice.

Good luck

Hey thank you for the message I will definately look into getting tested just using the study to somewhat calm me down but I have again panicked myself by reading that 85% of men with FH have a heart attack by age 60 and am panicked again. As a medical professional is there any more you can tell me about this disease? Also would you happen to know what the no genes found thing means in my original post in this thread as I am unsure but my mum keeps saying it means she wouldnt pass it on to us?
Thanks again for your message.

[RadioGaGa]

I'm not a doctor I should clarify, popping in from Pharmacy however

Anyway, FH needs to be treated because its a problem with how your body breaks down cholesterol - in other words, it CAN'T be treated by a good diet *alone*. The threshold for diagnosing it is a total cholesterol reading of >7.5mmol/L or LDL reading >4.9mmol/L. Have you ever had your cholesterol taken? Really the reason it causes issues is because the person has massively elevated cholesterol levels from a young age, which builds up and then leads to CAD etc a younger age.

But, re-reading your post - did they tell your mother that she had FH or that she just had very high cholesterol? There's no point considering the diagnosis any further because, even if she does have it, there's a 50% chance you DON'T.

A simple fasting blood test will tell you. Arrange it at your GP surgery and follow up with them

Good luck and keeps us posted

[bin tenn]

I think you're reading too deeply into this study, and worrying unnecessarily. Rather than obsessively thinking about the "what ifs", I recommend focusing on acceptance and doing what you can, reasonably, to reduce your own risk of early heart disease. Accept that this is a thing. Accept that you may or may not develop early heart disease - virtually anyone can potentially develop it. Make lifestyle changes as needed - if you smoke, stop; if you don't exercise much, start; if you're overweight, talk to your doc about healthy weight loss options; and so on.

[Jamie123]

I'm not a doctor I should clarify, popping in from Pharmacy however

Anyway, FH needs to be treated because its a problem with how your body breaks down cholesterol - in other words, it CAN'T be treated by a good diet *alone*. The threshold for diagnosing it is a total cholesterol reading of >7.5mmol/L or LDL reading >4.9mmol/L. Have you ever had your cholesterol taken? Really the reason it causes issues is because the person has massively elevated cholesterol levels from a young age, which builds up and then leads to CAD etc a younger age.

But, re-reading your post - did they tell your mother that she had FH or that she just had very high cholesterol? There's no point considering the diagnosis any further because, even if she does have it, there's a 50% chance you DON'T.

A simple fasting blood test will tell you. Arrange it at your GP surgery and follow up with them

Good luck and keeps us posted

Basically I believe that my mother was diagnosed but they did not find a gene which would cause it. I have not myself had a cholesterol test but will have one as a result of realising how serious this disease can be and how important it is to treat it from early. Would you happen to know if the drugs they give are effective for controlling cholesterol in this case of FH and whether they will help me. My mum is already on some medication for these but I am not. I am just really worried it will be too late as I am having some small symptoms such as feeling like my hand goes numb and discomfort in my left shoulder and back and at 22 that is really scary.

---------- Post added at 21:46 ---------- Previous post was at 21:45 ----------

I think you're reading too deeply into this study, and worrying unnecessarily. Rather than obsessively thinking about the "what ifs", I recommend focusing on acceptance and doing what you can, reasonably, to reduce your own risk of early heart disease. Accept that this is a thing. Accept that you may or may not develop early heart disease - virtually anyone can potentially develop it. Make lifestyle changes as needed - if you smoke, stop; if you don't exercise much, start; if you're overweight, talk to your doc about healthy weight loss options; and so on.

You are 100% right I will definitely look into getting tested and taking steps to reduce my risk however its just worrying reading about otherwise healthy people who still have problems and with me being overweight it really worries me I have done irreparable damage

[RadioGaGa]

Jamie123

Yes treatment is effective at lowering their cholesterol. This is usually a high dose statin, and can include others such as ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants and fibrates. A healthy diet + exercise. You'd get referred to a specialist

BUT - really try to stop worrying about it right now, until you get your blood test. Even if it is positive, it's not the end of the world!

Good luck

[bin tenn]

I agree with RadioGaGa. My doc started me on a low dose statin a few months ago (20mg Atorvastatin / Lipitor). So far so good. The follow-up labs showed my LDL ("bad") lowered by 50+ points, down to a normal value. Now I just have to focus on lifestyle changes to bring my HDL up. Please do take the advice and try to stop worrying so much! Feel well soon.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Hi Jamie 123

If there is a history of FH it's important you get your cholesterol checked. This can then be treated.

The BMJ is a very reliable source. However I have never heard of people with high cholesterol living longer - if that were true, surely we wouldn't treat it? So please don't let your cholesterol go unchecked because of that one article.

You don't need to panic but definitely get it checked soon and follow your doctors advice.

Good luck

There's a lot of "assumes" in the quoted text above. I haven't read it but I get the impression this is more an empirical study. What do you think? It doesn't seem to conclude, more assume a conclusion.

I'm sure you know there are many studies that are far from conclusive being in the medical industry. The more recent links made (without any causation determined) between Diazepam and death rates, for instance. Or the absolute BS being peddled against Pregabalin including from medical circles where they try to imply those prescribed by doctors are abusing them the same as substance misusers (and laughably quoting abuse in prisons as relevant to the general population! )

[RadioGaGa]

I would agree with that; particularly there was the infamous case of Andrew Wakefield (MMR linked to autism) which was fabricated for his own reasons. I'm not saying that's the case with the cholesterol makes them live longer study - but certainly I've never heard of anything like that even being suggested before haha

Personally Pregablin is causing MASSIVE issues in thepart of the UK that I'm from. Its the Nr 1 drug of abuse here. Its becoming a CD along with Gabapentin in due course. However, I think that will do very little for those who really want to abuse it.