ABC's 'Family Heartbeats Unmasked' inspires awareness and action through the heartfelt stories of families diagnosed with FH. WASHINGTON , Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to raise awareness about heart health and address health disparities, the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) highlights Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) during National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.
FH is an inherited genetic disorder that results in severely elevated LDL-cholesterol levels. Because they inherit this condition, persons with FH cannot remove cholesterol from their blood normally. As a result, they have severely elevated levels of cholesterol that increase their risk for atherosclerotic heart disease, heart attack, and, in some cases, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
The ABC campaign, "Family Heartbeats Unmasked," emphasizes the importance of early detection and proactive management by sharing the personal stories of individuals and families affected by FH. FH and Sudden Cardiac Arrest FH is a silent threat that can result in devastating outcomes if left untreated. Most persons with FH do not have symptoms - that is until they suffer a heart attack.
Elevated cholesterol levels caused by FH increase the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries and plaque deposition) and the risk of developing complications at a young age. Atherosclerotic plaques can rupture and cause a heart attack or SCA. The ABC campaign educates the public about the seri.