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Familial combined hyperlipidemia   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Multiple lipoprotein-type hyperlipidemia

Definition:

An inherited disorder of high serum cholesterol and/or high blood triglycerides associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and characterized by multiple types of elevated lipoproteins within one family.

Causes and Risks

This disease is genetic and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner but the specific defective gene(s) have not been identified. Elevations in the cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels appear during the teenage years and continue throughout life. Types of elevated lipoproteins may vary between affected family members. Cholesterol deposits in the skin, called xanthomas, that are seen in other disorders of elevated lipoproteins are rarely seen in this disorder. This disorder predisposes the person to increased risk of early coronary artery disease and therefore, heart attacks. The incidence of obesity and glucose intolerance is increased. The condition is worsened by diabetes, alcoholism, and hypothyroidism. Risk factors are a family history of high cholesterol and early coronary artery disease. The incidence is up to 1% of people making this the most common disorder of increased blood fats that cause early heart attacks.  The rare person (1 in 10,000) who gets 2 defective genes is at markedly increased risk for early heart attack due to very high blood fat (cholesterol or triglyceride) levels.

Ency. home > Disease > F > Familial combined hyperlipidemia

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