Breaking the Cycle

When I was 18, my world turned upside down. I was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that causes extremely high LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.¹

This diagnosis didn’t just come out of the blue. It came after losing my mom unexpectedly to a heart attack. It was a wake-up call that made me realize how important it is to understand and manage our family’s health legacy.

A genetic condition that went undetected

What I’ve learned since my diagnosis is that while FH can’t be cured (yet!), it can be managed. By doing so, we have the power to break the cycle of early heart disease in our families and change our health legacy for future generations.

FH is a genetic condition that runs in families, passed down from one generation to the next. One problem with FH is that it often goes undiagnosed until it’s too late, because people can look and feel healthy on the outside while their arteries are silently clogging.²

In my family, FH showed up in the worst possible way. My grandfather (mom’s father) passed away at just 47 years old from a heart attack, and while I’m sure it was tragic, it was treated as a sad but isolated event. Then, when my mom passed away suddenly at 51, my family started to recognize that something deeper might going on — a genetic condition that had gone undetected for too long.

A fighting chance

After losing my mom, I decided to take control of my health. I was 18 when my first cholesterol panel came back abnormally high.

The diagnosis gave me some direction. And while it was terrifying to find out that I had the same condition that had contributed to the early deaths of my mom and grandfather, it was also empowering. I felt like I had a fighting chance to protect myself and, eventually, to help protect my future family.

Managing genetically high cholesterol

The good news is that FH can be managed, even if it can’t be cured (again, yet!).

The first step was working with my doctor to develop a plan that would keep my cholesterol levels in check. This included a combination of medication — I started with statins and eventually went over to a PCSK9 inhibitor — and lifestyle changes. I learned the importance of eating a heart-healthy diet. Regular exercise became a priority, not just for managing my cholesterol but also for keeping my heart healthy and strong.

Managing stress and staying on top of my mental health also became crucial parts of my routine. Knowing that I had FH was stressful at first, but I’ve found that staying informed and proactive about my health has actually helped me feel more in control and less anxious about the future. Meditation, yoga, and regular check-ins with a therapist have all been helpful tools in managing the emotional side of living with FH.

Breaking the cycle for future generations

One of the most powerful things about getting diagnosed with FH is that it doesn’t just change my life — it has the potential to change the lives of future generations in my family. By being aware of our genetic risk, my family members can also get tested and take steps to manage their cholesterol levels early on. I hope to have children soon, and when I do, I’ll make sure they’re tested as well, so we can start managing their cholesterol from a young age. The earlier we catch FH, the better our chances of preventing the kind of tragedies that have already hit my family twice.

Breaking the cycle of FH isn’t just about managing the condition on an individual level — it’s about changing the course of our family’s health legacy. By staying aware, informed, and proactive, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the devastating effects of untreated genetically high cholesterol.

My message to you

If there’s one thing I hope others take away from my story, it’s this: don’t wait to take action. If heart disease or high cholesterol runs in your family, talk to your doctor about getting tested for FH. It might seem scary, but knowledge is power, and getting diagnosed early can give you the tools you need to manage your health and live a long, healthy life.

By taking control of your health today, you can help break the cycle of heart disease in your family and create a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.

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