Familial hypercholesterolemia gene test
Looks for inherited gene changes that cause very high LDL cholesterol from birth - and a much higher risk of early heart disease.
TypeGenetic
HowBlood or saliva sample.
How oftenOnce.
BeforeGenetic counseling is recommended before and after.
WhoPeople with very high LDL or a family history of early heart disease.
Why it matters for your whole family
FH affects about 1 in 250 people. Cholesterol is high from childhood, so artery exposure builds decades earlier. Each child of someone with FH has a 1 in 2 chance of inheriting it.
Very high LDL
“Why is my cholesterol so high?”
Unusually high LDL - especially from a young age - may suggest FH.
Clue
Family history
“Heart attacks came early in my family.”
Early heart disease in parents or siblings is a strong signal.
Pattern
Family testing
“Who else should test?”
Parents, siblings and children - early treatment prevents heart disease.
Protects family
Is it right for you?
How it’s measured
Clinical genetic test
Looks at LDLR, APOB and PCSK9 genes.
The full picture
What is it?
A genetic test for inherited high cholesterol.
What type of test is it?
A genetic test.
What does it measure?
Variants in genes controlling LDL clearance.
Why might someone consider it?
To confirm FH and trigger family screening.
Who is it most relevant for?
People with very high LDL or strong family history.
How is it performed?
A blood or saliva sample.
How often might it be considered?
Once.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether you carry FH and your family’s risk.
What are its limitations?
A negative result doesn’t rule out FH if cholesterol is very high.
What should it be viewed with?
LDL, ApoB, Lp(a) and family history.
Where to get it
Through your provider
Often with a genetic counselor - and more likely covered when family history supports it.
Genetic counseling services
Help you decide what to test and what results mean.
Direct-to-consumer tests
Available, but results should be confirmed clinically before acting on them.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Could I have familial hypercholesterolemia?
- Should my family be tested?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
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Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your Familial hypercholesterolemia gene test result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
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Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your Familial hypercholesterolemia gene test result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test