Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol,” are primarily caused by obesity and unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a diet rich in saturated and trans fats, smoking, and a lack of physical activity. These are all controllable factors.

High cholesterol can also arise from uncontrollable factors such as genetics.

Some individuals inherit genes from their biological parents that predispose them to high LDL cholesterol levels. This condition is known as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the LDLR gene located on chromosome 19. This mutation affects the body’s ability to process cholesterol properly.

There are two types of FH:

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, which is the most common of the two types, occurs if one parent gives you the FH variant
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, which is rare and more serious, occurs when both parents give you the FH variant

While the genetic mutations that cause familial hypercholesterolemia are present from birth, symptoms may not appear until adulthood. They may develop earlier in childhood in people who inherit FH from both parents. Symptoms of familial hypercholesterolemia include:

High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood
Corneal arcus- a white or gray ring around the iris of the eye
Cholesterol deposits in the eyelids (xanthelasmas)
Chest pain
Cholesterol or fatty skin deposits that form on the hands, elbows, and knees
Swollen or painful Achilles tendon
Cramping of one or both calves when walking
Sores on the toes that do not heal

Living with familial hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of a heart attack at an early age. The risk is also greater for premature cardiovascular disease and death at an earlier age.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is not preventable; however, it is very treatable. If your healthcare provider suspects that you have FH, they will perform a physical examination and may order a lipid panel or genetic testing to help confirm a diagnosis.

If you have familial hypercholesterolemia, your doctor will prescribe medications such as statins to control cholesterol levels. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight may also help reduce the risk of complications.

To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Understanding Cholesterol Numbers

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Cholesterol is a type of waxy, fat-like substance, or lipid, that the body needs to function. It forms part of the cell membranes, helps the liver make bile, and serves as a building block for hormones.

There are several types of cholesterol. They include:

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a good cholesterol that helps protect the arteries

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is bad cholesterol that causes plaque buildup in the arteries

Very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol is another type of bad cholesterol that can also cause plaque buildup in the arteries

Non-HDL cholesterol- refers to all the cholesterol in the blood, except for HDL cholesterol

Cholesterol is vital for us to live, as it does many essential jobs in the body. However, too much cholesterol in the blood is harmful as it can enter the artery wall, weakening it, leading to hardened deposits of atherosclerotic plaque to form. This is called atherosclerosis, and it can lead to problems such as:

Coronary artery disease

Peripheral artery disease

Carotid artery disease

A person can live for many years with high cholesterol and not know it. High levels of cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia, can be a risk of a heart attack or stroke. That is why it is important to get your cholesterol numbers checked on a regular basis.

When getting your cholesterol numbers checked, a healthcare provider will use a blood test called a lipid panel. A healthcare provider will check the numbers of the main levels of cholesterol. They include:

Total cholesterol: Below 200

LDL cholesterol: Below 100

VLDL cholesterol: Below 30

HDL cholesterol: 40-80 for males. 50-80 for females

The lipid panel also measures another type of fat in the blood called triglycerides.

Normal cholesterol levels can vary based on age, ethnicity, and sex.

If a person has heart disease or several risk factors, the LDL target number may be different, and a healthcare provider will want the number to be below 70.

HDL numbers are typically better when higher rather than lower. An ideal number for HDL cholesterol should be between 60 and 80 to protect against heart disease. An HDL number over 80 is too high and can be unhealthy. HDL is the only number that has sex-based differences, as females need a higher HDL level than males.

High cholesterol means that total cholesterol is 200/mg/dl or higher, or higher than normal. “Borderline high” is a phrase that healthcare providers may use to break down the results of a lipid panel. If a person’s cholesterol numbers are close to normal, they may be easier to manage. High cholesterol numbers include:

Total cholesterol: Borderline high: 200-239

High: 240 or higher

LDL cholesterol: Elevated:100-129

Borderline high: 130-159

High: 160-189

VLDL cholesterol: 30 or higher

LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol numbers should be lower rather than higher.

How often a person gets their cholesterol checked depends on their age, family history, risk factors for heart disease, and their sex, as males need more frequent tests starting at a younger age.

Males ages 20 to 44 should get their cholesterol checked every five years. Males ages 45 to 65 should get their cholesterol checked every one to two years. And males 65 years and older should get their cholesterol checked every year.

Females ages 20-54 should get their cholesterol checked every five years. Females ages 55 to 65 should get their cholesterol checked every one to two years. And females 65 and older should get their cholesterol checked every year.

It is important to know what your cholesterol numbers are, as they can help you learn about your potential risks for heart disease. A healthcare provider will look at your cholesterol numbers, as well as the other aspects of your health, to learn more about your risks of heart disease.

If you or a loved one would like to learn more about understanding cholesterol numbers, you can speak with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Best And Worst Foods For High Cholesterol

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is produced by the liver and used by the body to help make cells, hormones, and vitamin D.

High cholesterol occurs when there is too much of this fatty substance in the blood. Although high cholesterol can be inherited, it is often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices.

A buildup of fatty deposits in our blood vessels can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease or stroke. Therefore, it is important to make changes to our lifestyle to reduce the risk of complications.

Improving our diets is a good place to start, and that involves avoiding or limiting the following foods:

Fried foods
Processed meats
Baked goods made with butter or shortening
Dairy products made from whole milk
Red meat
Organ meat
Saturated vegetable oils such as coconut oil or palm oil
Food made with hydrogenated oil

Adding these foods to your diet can help reduce high cholesterol levels:

Fruits that are rich in pectin such as apples, grapes, and strawberries
Oats
Whole grains
Nuts
Legumes
Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon

Other lifestyle changes you can make to improve cholesterol levels are exercising at least 2 ½ hours each week and reducing stress.

If you are at risk of developing high cholesterol, speak with your physician about taking steps to reduce your levels. Your doctor’s treatment plan may include adhering to a healthy diet, working out regularly, or taking medications.