Why having extra body fat and high blood pressure is extra dangerous for people with high cholesterol
Metabolic syndrome predicts cardiovascular risk and mortality in familial hypercholesterolemia.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
People born with a genetic condition that gives them very high cholesterol (FH) are already at risk for heart problems. But if they also have metabolic syndrome—like being overweight, having high blood pressure, or high blood sugar—they’re even more likely to have heart attacks or die early.
Surprising Findings
Metabolic syndrome increased cardiovascular risk independently of LDL-C levels — meaning even well-managed cholesterol doesn’t cancel out the danger of MetS.
Most medical advice focuses on lowering LDL as the primary way to protect FH patients — this study shows another major risk factor is being ignored, even when LDL is controlled.
Practical Takeaways
If you have familial hypercholesterolemia, ask your doctor to screen you for metabolic syndrome — check blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and triglycerides.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
People born with a genetic condition that gives them very high cholesterol (FH) are already at risk for heart problems. But if they also have metabolic syndrome—like being overweight, having high blood pressure, or high blood sugar—they’re even more likely to have heart attacks or die early.
Surprising Findings
Metabolic syndrome increased cardiovascular risk independently of LDL-C levels — meaning even well-managed cholesterol doesn’t cancel out the danger of MetS.
Most medical advice focuses on lowering LDL as the primary way to protect FH patients — this study shows another major risk factor is being ignored, even when LDL is controlled.
Practical Takeaways
If you have familial hypercholesterolemia, ask your doctor to screen you for metabolic syndrome — check blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and triglycerides.
Publication
Journal
Journal of clinical lipidology
Year
2023
Authors
M. Paquette, S. Bernard, B. Cariou, R. Hegele, J. Genest, M. Trinder, L. Brunham, S. Béliard, A. Baass
Related Content
Claims (4)
If someone has high cholesterol from birth and also has metabolic syndrome, they’re nearly five times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or need a heart procedure within 10 years.
People with this inherited high-cholesterol condition who also have metabolic syndrome are almost five times more likely to die from any cause over the next 30 years.
Cardiovascular risk persists despite low LDL cholesterol levels if concomitant metabolic syndrome, hypertension, chronic inflammation, or dysglycemia remain unaddressed.
People with a genetic condition that gives them high cholesterol are much more likely to have a heart attack or stroke within 10 years if they also have metabolic syndrome — even if their cholesterol is being managed.