Very high cholesterol levels (total cholesterol >7.5 mmol/L) should prompt clinicians to think of familial hypercholesterolaemia. A family history of premature heart disease should further raise suspicion. This dominantly inherited genetic abnormality deserves as much attention as the oncogenes such as BRAC 1 and 2. 
HEART UK – The Cholesterol Charity – has provided editorial support and review of this sponsored FH series.
This article was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant by Sanofi, who had no control over content.
