Hypercholesterolemia

Follow along on our guide to Hypercholesterolemia -- i.e., high cholesterol -- which can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. An estimated 40% of adults worldwide have high cholesterol, which is estimated to cause 2.6 million deaths annually and 29.7 million "disability-adjusted life years," according to the World Health Organization. Each step of the Medical Journey will delve into another aspect of the condition, including causes and diagnosis, genetic factors, related conditions, therapy options, coping strategies, and lessons learned from unique case studies -- all of which have undergone expert review. Every installment will also include a separate, downloadable, printable information resource for patients.

Hypercholesterolemia: A Complex System

鈥揃ack to basics on cholesterol carriers and measurement

Illustration of the letter i on a piece of paper over a hand over a blood droplet with an upward arrow over cholesterol

Patient Handout

For Your Patients: Hypercholesterolemia: Understanding Your Diagnosis

Consequences of Hypercholesterolemia

鈥揂 deep dive into how cholesterol contributes to atherosclerosis

Illustration of the consequences of what atherosclerosis can do over a blood droplet with an upward arrow over cholesterol

Patient Handout

For Your Patients: Why Do High Cholesterol Levels Matter?

Genetics of Hypercholesterolemia

鈥揂 deep dive into the heritability of high cholesterol

Illustration of a DNA strand over a blood droplet with an upward arrow over cholesterol

Patient Handout

For Your Patients: Who Gets Hypercholesterolemia?

Case Study: High Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Younger Patients Are Not So Clear Cut

鈥揅linicians ponder how to advise man in his early 40s with a strong family history of premature CV events

Illustration of a written case study over a blood droplet with an upward arrow over cholesterol

The Shifting Epidemiology of Hypercholesterolemia

鈥揚revalence, global trends, and population-attributable risk

Illustration of infected blood droplets over Earth over a blood droplet with an upward arrow over cholesterol

Patient Handout

For Your Patients: Screening and Diagnosis of High Cholesterol

Diagnosing Hypercholesterolemia

鈥揥hen and how to screen, what the diagnostic levels are, and which secondary causes to watch for

Patient Handout

For Your Patients: Understanding Inherited Cholesterol Disorders

Primary Prevention in Hypercholesterolemia

鈥揜isk prediction tools, risk enhancing factors, and the impact of lifestyle

Illustration of no smoking symbol, healthy food, etc over a blood droplet with an upward arrow over cholesterol

Patient Handout

For Your Patients: Daily Choices That Help Tackle Hypercholesterolemia

Case Study: Teenage Girl's Shortness of Breath and Chest Pain

鈥揈xtensive investigation was needed to unravel the complications of the condition

Options for Treating Non-Familial Hypercholesterolemia

鈥揝tatins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants, bempedoic acid, and more

Illustration of a red slash over non-familial hypercholesterolemia over a blood droplet with an upward arrow over cholesterol

Patient Handout

For Your Patients: What About Alternative Treatments and Supplements?

Coming Soon

All Medical Journeys

Alzheimer's Disease Atopic Dermatitis Breast Cancer Cardiomyopathy Endometriosis HIV Heart Failure Hypercholesterolemia Melanoma Multiple Sclerosis Osteoporosis Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis Urothelial Cancer Urticaria