Heart Clinic

Care That Follows You From the First Symptom Onward From the moment a symptom first gives you pause,
through treatment, recovery,
and long-term prevention,
your care continues without interruption.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition in which LDL cholesterol remains high regardless of lifestyle. Untreated FH can accelerate cardiovascular risk, while early treatment and cascade screening of family members improve long-term outcomes.

FH screening should be considered for LDL cholesterol of 190 mg/dL or higher, early cardiovascular disease in a parent or sibling, markedly high cholesterol at a young age with matching family history, or a requested pre-operative cardiology consultation.

How Diagnosis Works

Your physician selects the testing appropriate to your symptoms and risk factors.

Blood Test: Checks your complete lipid panel —
LDL, HDL, total cholesterol,
and triglycerides.

Physical Exam: Looks for signs suggestive
of familial hypercholesterolemia,
such as Achilles tendon xanthomas,
xanthelasma around the eyes,
or corneal arcus before age 45.

Family History: Reviews early-onset cardiovascular
disease and high cholesterol
among first-degree relatives
to assess genetic risk.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Evaluates the extent of arterial
plaque buildup using tests
such as ECG and carotid ultrasound.

Frequently Asked
Questions

A few things worth knowing before your visit.

If I'm diagnosed with FH, should my children be tested too?: Yes, this is strongly recommended. A child of a parent with heterozygous FH
has roughly a 50% chance of inheriting it. LDL cholesterol should be checked
starting in childhood or adolescence, and if it's elevated, management should
begin early — the sooner it starts, the better the long-term
cardiovascular outlook tends to be.

Are the side effects of statins something to worry about? Do I really need to take them?: Statins are well-established medications used safely in many patients for decades.
Although muscle pain or elevated liver enzymes may occur, these effects can often
be managed through dose adjustment, medication changes, or regular monitoring.
For patients with FH, statins are not only cholesterol-lowering medications
but also an important treatment to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Do not stop medication without consulting your doctor.
Finding the right treatment approach is essential.

Once I start taking a statin, do I have to take it for life?: Because FH is an inherited condition that causes persistently high LDL cholesterol,
long-term medication management is often required. Treatment helps control cholesterol levels
and reduce cardiovascular risks rather than eliminate the genetic condition itself.
Starting treatment early and maintaining it consistently can significantly lower the risk
of heart attack and cardiovascular death. Women planning pregnancy may need
to temporarily stop medication and should consult their physician.

Does familial hypercholesterolemia cause any symptoms?: FH usually has no noticeable symptoms and is often discovered during routine health screenings.
Some patients may develop signs such as xanthomas around the eyes or Achilles tendons,
but cardiovascular risk can remain high even without symptoms.

Will medication clear out the plaque that's already built up in my arteries?: Medication cannot completely remove existing atherosclerosis,
but it can slow progression and help prevent further vascular damage.
The primary goal of treatment is to prevent new damage and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Directions

NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F near Starbucks

Familial Hypercholesterolemia | THE HEART CLINIC

Heart Clinic

How Diagnosis Works

Frequently Asked
Questions

134 Tongil-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F

Clinic Hours

Directions

NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F near Starbucks

Heart Clinic

How Diagnosis Works

Frequently AskedQuestions

134 Tongil-ro,Jongno-gu, SeoulNH Nonghyup Tower, 2F

Clinic Hours

Frequently Asked
Questions

134 Tongil-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F