Rediscovering the essential: the silent challenge of Familial hypercholesterolemia in Latin America

Abstract

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) remains widely underdiagnosed in Latin America, despite its high prevalence and strong association with premature cardiovascular disease. The study conducted in a subsidized population in Bucaramanga, Colombia, using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria, reveals the gap between clinical suspicion, genetic confirmation, and therapeutic control. Despite high adherence, only a third of patients achieved LDL-C goals, underscoring the complexity of the phenotype and the need for structured strategies. This editorial discusses the regional implications of these findings and emphasizes the need to strengthen screening, expand access to genetic testing and promote the development of lipid clinics. FH remains an unmet need in the region, and early detection represents a concrete opportunity to change the natural history of the disease.