This World Heart Day,
Know Your Numbers
An estimated 1 in 250 Kiwis have Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), but less than 2% are diagnosed. FH is an inherited condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol - you could be fit and healthy but still at risk. That's why we're urging everyone to Know Your Numbers this World Heart Day (29 September).
What is Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)?
Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited genetic condition. People with FH are born with dangerously high levels of ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol in the blood from birth, leading to a significantly higher risk of early heart disease.
The risk of heart disease is approx. 20x higher in untreated FH patients. And if a parent has FH, there's a 50% chance their child will inherit it.
Solo dad Korie, pictured with son Caiden,
is one of many Kiwis diagnosed with FH.
Know your numbers
Understanding your cholesterol levels is the first step to knowing if you might have FH.
Normal range for adults
LDL cholesterol should be below 2.6 mmol/L
LDL levels at or above 4.9 mmol/L
May indicate FH
If you are at high overall cardiovascular risk, without previous cardiovascular heart disease
LDL cholesterol should be below 1.8 mmol/L
If you have had a heart attack or stroke, or have peripheral vascular disease
LDL cholesterol should be below 1.4 mmol/L
You could be at risk of FH if you have:
Family health history of early heart attacks or heart disease
Women in your family had heart conditions under 60 years old
Men in your family had heart conditions under 55 years old
“I want to be around for my son” - A solo dad’s fight with FH
Wellington dad Korie Nicol felt healthy, but a routine checkup revealed he had FH.
“I was shocked when my cholesterol came back so high,” says Korie, “I thought I could manage with diet alone, but FH isn’t like that – it doesn’t go away.”
Within weeks of his 50th birthday, chest pains led to emergency surgery and two stents.
"I want to minimise deterioration as much as I can. I've got a lot more life to live and a lot more to give."
Dad battles genetic condition that claimed his uncle and grandfather
Matt Goddin was just 41 when he had his first heart attack – the result of genetic high cholesterol that runs in his family.
Heart disease already claimed his grandfather and uncle at young ages.
Matt's story highlights how knowing your family health history and getting your cholesterol checked could save your life - but also exposes critical gaps in New Zealand’s healthcare system.
A 5-minute conversation could add years to your life
Open and honest conversations with your healthcare provider is vital to ensure the best possible management of your cholesterol.
This guide has been designed to help you have better conversations with your doctor about taking the next step toward lowering your bad cholesterol.
Download, print and complete the form to take along to your next appointment.
About Kia Manawanui Trust
We are a patient advocacy charity working to improve access, equity and outcomes for those impacted by cardiovascular conditions.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in New Zealand, yet our communities face significant barriers accessing cardiac care.
We focus on raising awareness about cardiac health issues and promoting equitable access to quality cardiac care for all New Zealanders.
We believe that by empowering both healthcare professionals and patients, we can significantly improve cardiac health outcomes.
Sponsored by
This campaign is a collaborative initiative between Kia Manawanui Trust - The Heart of Aotearoa New Zealand and Novartis, focused on familial hypercholesterolemia education and early detection for New Zealanders.