Who should treat familial hypercholesterolemia?
The treatment of various manifestations of familial hypercholesterolemia can involve a variety of health professionals over the lifetime of a given patient. The first task is to diagnose the condition. This should be done by primary physicians, i.e., pediatricians, family practitioners and internists. The same professionals, with help from dietitians as necessary, should treat the hypercholesterolemia in most cases. Homozygotes and difficult to treat heterozygotes should be referred to endocrinologists or lipidologists. The various cardiovascular manifestations, at one time or another, may require consultation with cardiologists, neurologists, radiologists, and cardiac or vascular surgeons. Physiatrists and physical and occupational therapists also may contribute to patient care.
Schonfeld
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Division of Atherosclerosis and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*