This is the most common primary hyperlipidaemia. Polygenic hypercholesterolaemia is, like height, the consequence of several genes together with acquired, largely nutritional factors.
Polygenic hypercholesterolaemia causes a similar pattern of hypercholesterolaemia to that seen in familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) (but milder than FH with cholesterol levels >6.5 mmol/L. It is characterised by increased levels of LDL-cholesterol (> 4.0 mmol/L). Triglyceride levels are < 2.3 mmol/L.
There is an increased risk of coronary heart disease but xanthomata do not develop.
Note in familial hypercholesterolaemia characteristically total cholesterol is > 7.5mmol/L, LDL-cholesterol is > 5.0 mmol/L and triglyceride is < 2.3 mmol/L.
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page