Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Ways to Lower High Cholesterol | BergaMet North America

Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Ways to Lower High Cholesterol

WHAT IS FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA ?


Did your parents or grandparents suffer from heart disease? Have multiple family members had heart attacks or strokes? If so, you may be at risk for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)—a genetic high cholesterol condition that significantly increases your risk of early heart disease.

What is Familial Hypercholesterolemia?


Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a hereditary condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of cholesterol and heart disease at an early age. Many people with genetic high cholesterol experience heart attacks before the age of 50. Since FH symptoms aren’t always obvious, many individuals remain unaware of their risk until it's too late.

How Do You Know If You Have Familial Hypercholesterolemia?

A doctor can diagnose familial hypercholesterolemia through cholesterol testing and a lipid panel to measure LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol), HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol), and total cholesterol levels. If your cholesterol is consistently high, your doctor may recommend FH screening and diagnosis through genetic testing.

Physical Signs of High Cholesterol

In addition to lab tests, some physical signs of high cholesterol include:

  • Yellow deposits around the eyes (xanthelasma)
  • Swollen Achilles tendons
  • Lumps in the knuckles, elbows, or knees (xanthomas)

However, these symptoms aren’t exclusive to familial hypercholesterolemia. If you notice these signs, don’t self-diagnose—schedule a cholesterol test with your doctor to determine the cause.


How Can You Manage Familial Hypercholesterolemia?

If you have FH or high cholesterol causes concern, here’s how you can manage it:


1. Medication

Doctors often prescribe statins to lower LDL cholesterol in individuals with genetic high cholesterol. Regular cholesterol testing is crucial to monitor progress.


2. Diet & Lifestyle Changes

While genetics and cholesterol play a significant role, lifestyle modifications are critical for managing cholesterol and heart disease risk:

  • Eat heart-healthy foods: Incorporate fiber-rich foods, omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains into your diet.
  • Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week for optimal heart disease prevention.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking worsens cholesterol and arterial function, increasing heart disease risk factors.
  • Manage stress: Chronic stress can elevate cholesterol levels and contribute to high blood pressure.

3. Natural Supplements for Cholesterol Support

If you're looking for supplements that promote healthy cholesterol levels cholesterol-lowering supplements, consider BergaMetCitrus Bergamot for cholesterol management. Derived from the Citrus Bergamot Superfruit™, it has been clinically shown to help:

  • Naturally promote healthy cholesterol levels
  • Balance LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels
  • Support cardiovascular health

BergaMet Pro+ is a premium cholesterol-supportlowering supplement that contains the highest concentration of polyphenols (80%), making it one of the most effective natural cholesterol support options available. It’s particularly beneficial for individuals who cannot tolerate statins.


Genetics vs. Lifestyle: What Matters More?

It was once believed that diet and lifestyle played the biggest role in cholesterol and heart disease, with genetics accounting for only 15% of the risk. However, modern research suggests that genetics and cholesterol levels contribute 40–50% of the risk. This means that even if you’re genetically predisposed, cholesterol management strategies like exercise, diet, and supplements still make a difference.


As the saying goes, "your genes load the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger."


Imagine walking across a rickety old bridge. No matter how careful you are, there's always a chance you'll slip. But that doesn’t mean you should start doing handstands and pirouettes. Instead, take control of the cholesterol risk factors within your power:

  • Exercise more
  • Eat whole foods
  • Stop smoking
  • Reduce stress

These small but powerful changes reduce your risk of heart disease, even if you have familial hypercholesterolemia.


BERGAMET PRO+ IS CLINICALLY PROVEN TO ASSIST IN:


  • Promoting Healthy Cholesterol Levels
  • Supporting Cardiovascular Health
  • Providing Natural Antioxidant Support

Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia) is a rare citrus fruit grown primarily in Calabria, Italy, where soil and climate conditions create the most potent bergamot polyphenols for cholesterol-lowering supplements. 

What makes BergaMet’s Citrus Bergamot for cholesterol unique? We offer the highest concentrated form with 80% polyphenols, ensuring maximum benefits for heart health.

Are You Predisposed to Heart Disease?

If you have a family history of heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes, you may have familial hypercholesterolemia. While FH is rare, it can drastically increase your cholesterol and heart disease risk, making early detection and cholesterol management strategies essential.


The bad news? Untreated FH significantly raises the risk of heart attack before age 50.


The good news? There are multiple ways to manage and reduce that risk—through medication, lifestyle changes, and natural supplements like BergaMet Pro+.


Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule a cholesterol test and take charge of your heart health today!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is familial hypercholesterolemia curable?

A: No, FH is a lifelong genetic condition, but it can be managed effectively with medication, diet, exercise, and supplements like BergaMet Pro+.


Q: Can you have high cholesterol without FH?

A: Yes, high cholesterol can result from diet, lifestyle, and other medical conditions, even if FH is not present.


Q: What foods should I avoid if I have FH?

A: Avoid trans fats, processed foods, fried foods, and excessive sugar, which can worsen cholesterol levels.


Q: How is FH inherited?

A: FH is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning you only need one affected parent to inherit the condition.


Q: Can children have familial hypercholesterolemia?

A: Yes, FH can be diagnosed in childhood, and early intervention is crucial to prevent complications later in life.


Q: What happens if FH is left untreated?

A: Untreated FH significantly increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes at a young age.


Q: Can FH be detected with a simple cholesterol test?

A: A cholesterol test can indicate high cholesterol, but genetic testing is required to confirm FH.