Jonathan Flyer, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont (UVM) Larner College of Medicine and division chief of pediatric cardiology at UVM Health, spoke with The Educated Patient about familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and why screening children for cholesterol is so important. FH is a serious and often overlooked genetic condition that can cause dangerously high cholesterol from a very young age—but early detection can save lives.
Dr. Flyer explained what makes FH different from the high cholesterol adults develop later in life, why early testing is key, and how new national recommendations are aiming to prevent early heart disease in children and young adults.