Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice
07:57

Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice

Published on: November 24, 2020

[How to deal with familial dyslipidemia in clinical practice?]

Nathalie Brun1, Nicolas Rodondi

  • 1Unité de néphrologie-métabolisme pédiatrique, Département de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, Hôpital des enfants, 1211 Genève 14. nathalie.brun@hcuge.ch

Revue Medicale Suisse
|April 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Early screening for familial dyslipidemias in infants with a family history of early heart disease is crucial. Prompt intervention, including lifestyle changes and potential statin therapy, can prevent cardiovascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Metabolic Disorders

Context:

  • Familial dyslipidemias are prevalent genetic disorders.
  • These conditions significantly elevate the risk of premature cardiovascular disease.
  • Early detection is key to mitigating long-term health consequences.

Purpose:

  • To emphasize the importance of early screening for familial dyslipidemias.
  • To outline the recommended diagnostic and management strategies.
  • To highlight the benefits of timely intervention in high-risk individuals.

Summary:

  • Screening for familial dyslipidemias is recommended in infancy if there's a family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
  • Initial management involves lifestyle modifications and eliminating other cardiovascular risks.
  • Statin therapy may be initiated between ages 10 and 50 based on disease severity and patient factors.

Impact:

  • Early identification and management of familial dyslipidemias can delay vascular events.
  • Proactive treatment improves quality of life and life expectancy.
  • This approach aims to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in affected families.

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements

Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...