All FH patients should be on a low cholesterol, low saturated fat, high
polyunsaturated fat diet from early childhood. They should never smoke nor take contraceptive pills without medical advice in some
e instances diet alone
cholesterol-lowering agent called cholestyramine (Questran),
an insoluble
after puberty, it is often necessary to supplement this with a
will be sufficient to control their hypercholesterolaemia. But, especially
resin which does not get absorbed and is, therefore, safe for long-term use.
Questran or Colestid will often reduce cholesterol levels in heterozygotes to
Colestipol (Colestid) acts in a similar manner. The combination of diet and
Colestid. An alternative is an operation called partial ileal bypass, which
especially in patients unable to tolerate an effective dose of Questran or
around 7mmol/l. If not, it may be necessary to add or substitute other drugs,
reduces cholesterol levels to an even greater extent than cholestyraminic
can cause diarrhoea.
2-weekly intervals. There is increasing evidence that effective control of
special form of treatment called plasma exchange, which is undertaken at
Homozygotes respond poorly to all the above measures and require a
atherosclerosis and thus prolong life in homozygotes and that
hypercholesterolaemia by this means can prevent or delay the onset of
cholestyramine has a similar effect in heterozygotes. Ideally FH patients
should be seen regularly in the Lipid Clinic of a large hospital with facilities
coronary angiography and bypass surgery. Close co-operation between the
Lipidologist and his or her cardiological and surgical colleagues is vital to
to undertake specialised diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including
the proper management of FH patient, especially those who develop
premature atherosclerosis.
The Family Heart Association, Wesley House, 7 High Street,
Kidlington, Oxford OXS 2DH (Tel. 0867 570292) exists to provide useful
information to individuals with FH, including advice about diet.