Case-finding for familial hypercholesterolemia in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is estimated that in the Asia-Pacific region, more than 5.2 million persons are suffering from familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This means that more than half of the estimated world total of 10 million FH patients are living in this part of the world, of which the vast majority is not aware of their dangerous condition, let alone being adequately treated. Obviously, an intensive case-finding program to identify patients and subsequent clinical management are required to prevent premature cardiovascular disease and death caused by the consequences of inherited hypercholesterolemia. This article describes the current situation concerning FH and the initiatives and actions undertaken in Australia to contribute to actively identifying patients with FH in that country.