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Groups with Higher Rates of FH

Populations More Likely to Have FH

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects 1 out of every 500 people and is found in all populations and ethnic groups. However, in some groups, FH can be 2 to 5 times more common than in the general population. Some of these groups include people of French Canadian, Christian Lebanese, and South African Afrikaner and Ashkenazi Jewish descent.⁸

It is important that families within these communities understand FH, since the prevalence of the disease is much higher.

Scientists believe that the higher incidence of FH in these populations dates back to a genetic mutation that was widespread in a smaller population. As that population has grown, the mutation has been passed through the generations. This theory is sometimes called the “founder effect.”⁸

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