Information for Healthcare Professionals
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Service for Cheshire and Merseyside
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an inherited condition causing high cholesterol levels from birth; the consequence of this is that FH is associated with a significantly increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). FH affects 1 in 250 people; therefore, it is estimated that around 10,000 people in Cheshire and Merseyside have FH, although most do not have a confirmed diagnosis.
FH can be diagnosed relatively easily, and treatment is safe and inexpensive. More importantly, early identification and effective treatment has a significant impact on outcome for these patients. Under the new NHS 10 Year Health Plan there is commitment for genetic testing (incl. for FH) as part of the prevention strategy where early detection is key.
The Cheshire and Merseyside FH Service provides a referral pathway for regional teams across primary and secondary care to refer eligible patients for assessment and, where appropriate, genetic testing.