August 18, 2008

high cholesterol and the most common UK genetic disorder

Speakers:
Dr Alan Rees, Consultant, University Hospital of Wales
Dr Dermot Neely, Clinical Director of Laboratory Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust

Run in conjunction with the charity H.E.A.R.T. UK, this briefing introduced the background to the genetic disorder familial hypercholesterolaemia, which affects 1 inn 500 people in the UK and causes exceptionally high levels of cholesterol. However, only 20% of patients are currently diagnosed because there are few, if any, symptoms. Experts addressed questions including what tests for FH are available and how it can be treated.