Dos and Do not of Managing Familial Hypercholesterolemia |
Posted: August 10, 2017 |
Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that affects as many as two million Americans. Without treatment, it can cause early heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Although there is no cure for FH, you can lead a healthier life and decrease the chances of a medical emergency by following some hypercholesterolemia guidelines. If you are living with FH, do not give up hope. Lifestyle changes and medications can help you manage your condition. Below are the basic dos and don’ts for keeping FH at bay. Do: Screen the Whole Family Unfortunately, many people living with FH aren’t aware of their condition. Since FH requires active management, this can be dangerous. Have your whole family tested for FH. Each first-degree relative to someone with FH has a 50 percent chance of having the condition. Don’t: Eat Too Much Fat Healthy fats can be an important part of a person’s diet. However, people living with familial hypercholesterolemia should reduce the amount of saturated fat they consume. Ideally, 30 percent or less of your daily caloric intake should come from fats. Be particularly wary of fats from fast food, fried foods, and animal products. If this seems difficult, keep healthy snacks on hand and take your time. It’s hard to create new habits overnight, but you can make a big difference in your treatment if you stick to a low-fat diet. Do: Exercise Increasing physical activity is an important part of the hypercholesterolemia guidelines. At least four times per week do something that increases your heart rate for 30 minutes. Doing this can help you maintain a healthy body weight and lower your cholesterol. Don’t: Forget About Medicine Because FH is a genetic condition, diet and exercise are not enough. Management of this condition takes a combination of a healthy lifestyle and hypercholesterolemia medications. You and your doctor must work together to choose the particular type of drugs. Your doctor may base his or her decision on many factors, including your medical history, age, and needs. Do: Eliminate Smoke Exposure Exposure to smoke and tobacco can worsen your symptoms. It can compound on high cholesterol to create high blood pressure and a higher risk of heart disease. If you or someone in your family smokes, quitting can assist in your recovery. Both first and second-hand smoke can be harmful for people with FH. While it can be disheartening to receive an FH diagnosis, it is important to stay hopeful. By following the hypercholesterolemia guidelines, you can mitigate the risks and keep your heart healthy. Create a healthy diet, make exercise part of your family’s routine,
|
||||||||||||||||
|