Better heart-risk prediction for inherited high cholesterol
Improving Risk Stratification in Familial Hypercholesterolemia (RISK-FH)
This project aims to give people with familial high cholesterol clearer, more personalized estimates of their future heart disease risk using genetic information, cholesterol measures, and other health factors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Geisinger Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Danville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158873 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project sorts people with familial high cholesterol into four types: a single harmful gene change, many small genetic changes, very high lipoprotein(a), or no clear genetic cause. Researchers will combine genetic test results, LDL-C and Lp(a) levels, medical records, and demographic information to estimate each group's risk of heart attack and other atherosclerotic events. The team will also look at how age, sex, race/ethnicity, and access to care change that risk and will develop ways to explain risk clearly to patients and clinicians. The goal is to help you and your doctor make more informed, personalized decisions about prevention and treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with diagnosed or suspected familial hypercholesterolemia—those with very high LDL-C or a family history of early heart disease—who can share medical records and genetic or blood-test data are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without inherited high cholesterol, those whose high LDL-C is clearly due to secondary causes, or those unwilling to provide genetic or health data may not benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could give patients more accurate, personalized heart-risk information that leads to better-targeted prevention and treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows genetic testing and Lp(a) relate to heart risk, but combining FH subtypes into a practical, personalized risk tool is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Danville, United States
- Geisinger Clinic — Danville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oetjens, Matthew — Geisinger Clinic
- Study coordinator: Oetjens, Matthew
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.