I Had Warning Signs For Years But A Heart Attack Revealed The Rare Genetic Disease Doctors Missed
When I think about who I was growing up and what brought me joy, I think about the feeling of the waves under my board when I’m surfing. I think about fixing classic cars with my dad. And now, I think about spending time with my sons on warm days at the beach. Looking back, my journey to being a dad to two wonderful sons was very nearly cut short before it even began when I was diagnosed with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), an ultra-rare inherited cholesterol condition that affects approximately 1,300 people in the U.S. It’s the most severe form of familial hypercholesterolemia — a defect in how the body clears low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL cholesterol], referred to as “bad” cholesterol. People with HoFH are at risk for premature atherosclerotic disease and cardiac events, even in their teenage years. I had warning signs for years, but it took a heart attack to reveal the rare genetic disease doctors missed Photoroyalty via Shutterstock I’d always been active growing up, but when I was around 16, …
