Yes. Some people inherit a form of high cholesterol from birth, called familial hypercholesterolemia. It does not depend on what you eat and can pass from parents to children.
When to suspect it
- Your LDL cholesterol is 190 mg/dL or higher.
- You have relatives with very high cholesterol or an early heart attack (men before 55, women before 60).
- Bumps appear on your tendons (for example, the heel or knuckles).
- You have a white or grey ring around the cornea before age 45.
How it is confirmed
Your cardiologist confirms the diagnosis by reviewing your tests, physical exam and family history and, when available, a genetic test.
Why check your family
Each child, sibling or parent of a person with familial hypercholesterolemia has a 1 in 2 chance of having it. A simple blood test can find it early, even in children.