The Essential Role of Primary Caregiver in Early Detection of Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Cardiovascular Prevention

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a worldwide common autosomal inherited condition associated with premature cardiovascular diseases, both in men and in women (World frequency has been recently estimated to be as high as 1:250). Identifying FH cases early in life could represent a cornerstone to prevent fatal events in adult's life. Pediatricians are well positioned to evaluate the familial cardiovascular risk factors among their young patients, to make a diagnosis and to perform familial screening. The goal of this paper is therefore to emphasize the recognition of this genetic condition at a younger age and to initiate both familial screening and a safe treatment. Prevention of cardiovascular disease starts at an early age in all children, but it may save lives in FH patients.