The Risk of Ischemic Heart Desease in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

The incidence of ischemic heart desease (IHD) in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was studied in 241 heterozygous and 12 homozygous patients.
In a total of 241 heterozygous patients, 118 were males and 123 females. IHD was observed in 46 and 41% of the males and females. The mean age of 24 males and 38 females with coronary insufficiency, and 30 males and 13 females with myocardial infarction was 49±9, 56±12, 49±11 and 65±6 (Mean±S.D.) years, respectively. The mean age of 5 males and 3 females died from myocardial infarction and 4 males and 2 females died from sudden death was 51±16, 63±1, 47±9 and 75±3 years, respectively. These results suggested that IHD was not only more frequent and precorcious in males with heterozygous FH but also more severe than in females.
There were 6 males and 6 females with homozygous FH. Four patients died from sudden death or heart failure. The mean age of death was 28 years (16-42 years). There was no cerebral or peripheral vascular insufficiency.