Detecting Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Adolescents: Universal Screening is Key

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired clearance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles from plasma to hepatocytes, resulting in elevated plasma LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and a significantly increased risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Recent meta-analyses indicate an FH prevalence of approximately 1 in 310 individuals in the general population., Importantly, FH remains substantially underdiagnosed, and most affected individuals live with LDL-C levels above recommended targets. Early identification of FH is critical for preventing ASCVD events. [...]