CHOLESTEROL AND LPA(apoa) HOW IT IS INHERITED

The sub-type of cholesterol called lpa or apo a is inherited through a genetic process called, Autosomal Dominance, this means that the gene can come from either parent and when inherited the gene will express the disease. This is different from a sex linked disease and sex linked means the disease is either expressed by the mother or the father.

Briefly giving an understanding of sex linked, the father denotes sex of offspring,he carries the X and Y gene. Mother carries X and X gene. Dependent on what the father donates will interpret the sex of a child and any disease that might go with the genetic transfer or mom might carry.

Who is at risk for inheriting the gene. Any offspring of the person carrying the gene defect.

Once established that familial hypercholesterolemia runs in a family all family members should be tested for the abnormality.

This cholesterol abnormality presents in different ways in families. There are mutations, meaning not every one inherits the same pattern of this genetic abnormality.

It is not difficult to trace this pattern of inheritance, look into your family history and ask yourself whose life expectancy was shortened from stroke or heart disease.

The above should show how important it is to share ones family history.

It was not so long ago that mum was the word when some one had cancer or other life threatening diseases, it is only recently that more are willing to to reveal their family health issues.

Besides sharing with your family, it is very important that you give your physician all your family history,as this will give a clear picture to any disease state you might have.

Stay Healthy,
Laura