The results suggest FH if the LDL-cholesterol levels are raised to a very high level. If both LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides are raised in this situation, the patient may have familial combined hyperlipidaemia which is another genetic condition. The test levels are adjusted to take into account age, weight, diabetes, kidney diseases and decreased metabolism. It should be noted that the cholesterol count rises during pregnancy, and drops significantly for at least three months after a heart attack. By examining the patient's heart and the large blood vessels, feeling the pulse, taking blood pressure and doing an exercise stress test, the doctor can make a rough estimate of the extent of cardiovascular disease.
Medication is always necessary in combination with lifestyle changes.
It is difficult to normalise cholesterol levels by dietary changes alone. The first choice medications are the statins . The former increase the excretion of LDL-cholesterol by preventing its reabsorption from the intestine. A combined treatment with statins, anion exchange resins and diet will reduce the total cholesterol level in the blood by 30 to 40 percent and the LDL-cholesterol by a greater amount. The progress of FH varies greatly.