High cholesterol often runs in families, and most people who have the condition don't know it. Without diagnosis and treatment, more than half will have a heart attack by the age of 50 (men) or 60 (women).

Now a British study has determined that screening family members of those with familial high cholesterol is an effective and cost-effective method to detect those individuals. Researchers created a computer model that showed that the earlier familial hypercholesterolemia is diagnosed, the more cost effective the screening strategy is. The cost of tracing family members was determined to be $4,479 per life-year gained; only 2.6 individuals needed to be screened to identify one case. On the other hand, universal population screening costs $18,843 per life-year gained, needing to screen 1,365 individuals to identify one person in need of treatment.

If you believe you have familial high cholesterol, suggest to your relatives that they should be screened.

Related information: About it | Basic facts | Diagnosis

Source:  Marks D, Wonderling D, Thorogood M, et al. Cost effectiveness analysis of different approaches for screening for familial hypercholesterolaemia. British Medical Journal, June 1, 2002;324:1303. (Abs.)