Primary Hypercholesterolaemia
Primary hypercholesterolaemia is a genetically driven disorder in which the liver cannot clear low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood efficiently. Unlike raised cholesterol from diet alone, this form persists regardless of lifestyle, and the resulting high LDL significantly accelerates the build-up of plaque inside arteries.
Medicine used to treat Primary Hypercholesterolaemia
Why genetics matter here
Most people with primary hypercholesterolaemia inherit a single faulty copy of the LDL receptor gene (familial hypercholesterolaemia, or FH), though rarer variants exist. Because the condition usually causes no symptoms until a cardiovascular event, it often goes undetected for years. Genetic screening of first-degree relatives of a confirmed case is the most reliable way to catch it early, a practice increasingly adopted across South and Southeast Asia as awareness grows.
Lowering LDL over the long term
Statin therapy is the usual starting point, but some people need additional agents to reach their LDL target, particularly those with very high baseline levels or those who cannot tolerate statins well. Bempedoic acid works by blocking cholesterol synthesis upstream of the pathway statins target, making it a useful option in this setting. Managing the condition sits firmly within the scope of cholesterol management and closely overlaps with broader heart and blood-pressure care.