Download the PDF here.. Check out our FH point of care tools here and our more comprehensive overview, GECKO deep dive. Updated March 2024.

Bottom line:

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common (~1/250) autosomal dominant condition that results in a 6- to 22-fold increase in premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. Early diagnosis and treatment can normalize life expectancy.
Key features of FH are:
- elevated LDL-C ≥5 mmol/L
- early onset CVD (<55 years in men, <65 years in women)
- cholesterol deposition in the tendons (xanthomata) and/or around the eyes (xanthelasma)
- arcus cornealis with onset <45 years
- family history of early onset CVD or hyperlipidemia requiring treatment.
In Canada, a diagnosis of FH is typically based on an individual’s clinical presentation and history as outlined in the Canadian Cardiovascular Society algorithm. Genetic testing is not widely clinically available in Canada with some exceptions.
A clinical diagnosis guides treatment and screening of family members. Once a person is diagnosed with FH, cascade screening of family members using measurement of LDL-C levels and/or genetic testing is recommended. This enables early identification and treatment of at-risk individuals, with statins as first-line treatment.

What is familial hypercholesterolemia?

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition where the uptake of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) into cells is either decreased or inhibited. This results in lifetime exposure to very high levels of LDL-C. FH is the most common genetic disorder causing premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death in both men and women. FH is both underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide despite the knowledge that early diagnosis and treatment can normalize life expectancy.^1-3 It is estimated that roughly 1 in 250 Canadians has FH, and that only about 10% have been identified.^1,4

Most cases (up to 80%) of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are caused by pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants (what used to be called mutations) in the LDL receptor gene LDLR, in which > 3000 different P/LP variants have been identified.^2,5,6

How is familial hypercholesterolemia diagnosed?

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) recommends the use of the Canadian diagnostic criteria for FH proposed by the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Canada (FHCanada) network (Figure 1).

Genetic testing is a key approach to the diagnosis of definite FH. While clinical criteria can be used for diagnosis, there are limitations to using the classical presentation since few affected persons will exhibit physical findings (e.g. xanthomas, xanthelasmas) at the time of testing.¹⁵ Additionally, there are limitations to use of family history of cardiovascular disease in FH diagnosis. Screening for FH based on family history alone has been shown to miss 30-60% of cases.¹⁶ Genetic testing is not necessary for diagnosis and is not yet routinely clinically available in most of Canada.

Fig 1 FH Messenger Canadian diagnosis criteria 2019

Figure 1. Canadian criteria for the clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). From Ruel et al, 2018¹⁰. Reprinted with permission under the CC BY-NC-ND license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2018.05.015 ASCVD: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. * Secondary causes of high LDL-C should be ruled out (severe or untreated hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, hepatic disease [biliary cirrhosis], medication, especially antiretroviral agents) ** DNA mutation refers to the presence of a known FH-causing variant in a FH gene in the individual or a first-degree relative.

The LDL-C levels cited are untreated levels. For a patient who is on lipid lowering medications, the CardioRisk Calculator^TM app has a validated algorithm to assign a baseline value.

FH diagnosis in a patient with a P/LP variant but normal LDL-C levels is unclear. Yearly follow-up of the individual is suggested, and cascade screening of family members should be initiated.

How to order genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia?

See the links (accessed March 2024) below to where testing is clinically available and the testing criteria. Other provinces are exploring how to implement genetic testing and screening.

Genetic testing in Québec

Genetic testing in Ontario (as of January 2024) can be ordered by any physician and does not require a referral for genetic assessment. Testing criteria are on each requisition and can be found on the Ontario Provincial Genetics Program site.

Cascade screening for family members

Once a person is diagnosed with FH, cascade screening of family members is recommended.¹ Cascade screening is the most cost-effective approach for identification of new FH cases.¹³ This reduces the average age at which an individual is diagnosed. This results in an increased number of individuals who are treated with statins and have subsequent lowered lipid levels.¹⁴ Children with FH who start a statin (can be as young as age 8) have statistically lower event rates than their affected parents.¹⁵

Screening can include lipid profiles of relatives and/or genetic testing for the known familial P/LP variant once identified. Each newly diagnosed individual becomes a new index case and cascade screening of relatives continues.

When using a genetic testing approach, relatives are tested for the known familial P/LP variant. Positive results will identify at-risk relatives and negative results would reassure those at population risk. When ordering genetic testing for relatives it is important to include documentation of the familial genetic variant, either with a molecular report or a family letter. This ensures accurate interpretation of testing.

Surveillance and Management

Adults

The use of conventional cardiovascular risk calculators in individuals with FH is not recommended as these greatly underestimate lifetime CVD risk.^{1,2, 19}FH-specific cardiovascular risk calculators (e.g. the FH Risk Score²⁰, SAFEHEART¹⁹) should be considered to assess the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in those with FH. Routine assessment and stratification of the risk of ASCVD in all patients with FH should be used to guide personalized treatment and management.¹⁹

Those with homozygous status (HoFH, two pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in an FH gene) should be referred to a specialized lipid centre.¹

Pharmaceuticals

Statins are the drug class of choice for individuals with a P/LP variant in one FH gene (HeFH). Observational studies have shown a dramatic decrease in cardiac events in statin-treated individuals with FH.¹ LDL-C should be lowered as fast and as far as possible.³ The CCS recommends a >50% reduction of LDL-C from baseline beginning at age 18 as primary prevention and LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L is recommended for secondary prevention.¹⁷ Non-fasting lipid profiles should be used to monitor treatment in those whose treatment is stable.²⁰

Lifestyle

All families with FH (including children and adolescents) should be counselled about the importance of lifestyle modification and heart healthy behaviour^1-3,17,19 such as smoking cessation and avoidance of passive smoking, diet (e.g. high in fibre, low in trans and saturated fatty acids), exercise, stress reduction, maintenance of ideal body weight.

Pregnancy

For most persons assigned female at birth who are of reproductive age, an effective birth control method is recommended with discontinuation of statin therapy ideally 3 months prior to planned pregnancy or at the time of a positive pregnancy test.^1,20,21 A pregnant person with FH and additional risk factors, e.g. established ASCVD, should be referred to a specialty lipid clinic for further treatment advice.

Children /Adolescents

The CCS and Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Association recommend universal lipid screening (fasting or non-fasting, non-HDL-C or LDL-C) be performed after 2 years of age and within the first decade of life.²¹Many clinicians, however, are not routinely implementing this practice due to controversies around the utility of such a test. Selective screening at any time can be considered when there is a positive family history of premature CVD or dyslipidemia, or other cardiovascular risk factors.²¹ Reverse cascade screening of parents is recommended when a child is found to have FH.^1,21

The ideal age to begin treatment is between 8 and 12 years of age based on current randomized control trials.²¹ Pharmacological treatment can be considered, incorporating clinical judgement, family and patient preferences.^1,19,21

Lifestyle modifications discussed above remain the cornerstone of CVD prevention in both children and adolescents with FH and referral to a specialist for treatment decisions is recommended.¹ The CCS recommends that children with HoFH are referred to a lipid specialist centre for cholesterol-lowering therapies when >15kg in weight.

Additional guidance on management of dyslipidemia in children and adolescence can be found here.²¹

Resources and references

See GECKO Deep Dive

Authors: S Morrison MS CGC, JE Allanson MD FRCPC, RA Hegele MD FRCPC, S Walji MD CCFP and JC Carroll MD CCFP

GECKO on the run is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for clinical judgement. GECKO aims to aid the practicing clinician by providing informed opinions regarding genetic services that have been developed in a rigorous and evidence-based manner. Physicians must use their own clinical judgment in addition to published articles and the information presented herein. GECKO assumes no responsibility or liability resulting from the use of information contained herein.

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GECKO on the run: Familial Hypercholesterolemia