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The British Heart Foundation announced funding of more than £1 million to introduce a new genetic testing programme for a high cholesterol condition, Familial hypercholesterolaemia , which can leave untreated affected individuals at high risk of developing heart disease and suffering heart attacks at a young age.
Dr Tim Chico, Senior Clinical Lecturer and honorary Consultant Cardiologist, University of Sheffield / Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said:
“This life-saving programme has many important implications. It is supported by the hard work of hundreds of BHF volunteers and fund-raisers, who deserve great credit for their efforts. It underlines the important role of the BHF in funding both research and clinical services. A new era in medicine is beginning; it will become increasingly common that genetic findings in relatives impact on the health and treatment of other individuals. This will allow us to tailor the right preventative drugs to those patients who have most to gain from treatment. Given recent adverse publicity, this is a useful reminder that for patients with FH, or those who are otherwise at high risk of heart disease, statins unquestionably save lives.”
Declared interests
None declared