About Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Key Highlights
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Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent premature heart attacks and strokes.Personalized treatment plans combine powerful medications and lifestyle strategies.Management is led by a cardiologist specializing in lipid disorders and cardiovascular risk.Involves family screening to identify and protect other at-risk relatives.Focuses on achieving specific, low LDL cholesterol targets for optimal protection.
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistently very high LDL cholesterol levels (e.g., >190 mg/dL in adults).
- Physical signs such as tendon xanthomas (cholesterol deposits) or corneal arcus at a young age.
- Personal or family history of early-onset coronary artery disease (before age 55 in men, 65 in women).
- Genetic testing confirming a mutation in the LDLR, APOB, or PCSK9 genes.
- Inadequate cholesterol lowering with standard therapies, requiring specialist management.
How to prepare
- Compile a detailed personal and family medical history, especially regarding heart disease.
- Undergo a fasting lipid profile blood test to measure cholesterol levels accurately.
- Attend a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment, which may include physical examination for signs of FH.
- Discuss all current medications, supplements, and any history of side effects from cholesterol drugs.
- For genetic testing, provide informed consent after counseling about the implications for the patient and their family.
Risks & possible complications
- Medication side effects: Muscle pain or weakness from statins, injection site reactions from PCSK9 inhibitors.
- Inadequate cholesterol control leading to accelerated atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries).
- Risk of premature cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke if the condition is undiagnosed or poorly managed.
- Psychological impact of a lifelong genetic diagnosis and the need for family communication.
- Potential for drug interactions when using multiple cholesterol-lowering agents.
Recovery & hospital stay
- FH management is a lifelong process, not a single procedure with a recovery period.
- Regular follow-up with the cardiologist (every 3-6 months initially) to monitor cholesterol levels and adjust medication.
- Commit to long-term lifestyle changes: heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking.
- Adhere strictly to the prescribed medication regimen to maintain target LDL levels.
- Schedule periodic cardiovascular screenings (e.g., stress tests, calcium scans) as recommended by the cardiologist to monitor artery health.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient management)
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Expected recovery time: Lifelong management
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering familial hypercholesterolemia in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for familial hypercholesterolemia in Turkey include Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, Liv Hospital Ankara, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform familial hypercholesterolemia. MediFyr helps you compare cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for familial hypercholesterolemia compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated cardiology teams and experience managing patients undergoing familial hypercholesterolemia.
I'd been feeling off for months,...
I'd been feeling off for months, tired all the time with weird aches. A couple of other doctors just shrugged. Dr. Shrivarthan was different. He actually listened, asked a ton of questions I hadn't thought about, and ordered some specific tests. Turns out it was a thyroid issue that wasn't showing up on the standard panel. He explained it all in a way that finally made sense. I'm on treatment now and starting to feel like myself again.
Cardiologists for Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Explore experienced cardiologists who regularly perform familial hypercholesterolemia and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
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- 24 Years Experience
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- 30 Years Experience
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