Understanding and improving risk assessment in familial hypercholesterolemia
Official title: Improving Risk Stratification in Familial Hypercholesterolemia (RISK-FH)
Funded at Geisinger Clinic · NIH-10872313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol and heart disease risk, to better understand its different types and how they affect heart health, so doctors can give clearer advice to patients from all backgrounds.
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 start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $724,211 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL159182-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia or those with a family history of high cholesterol and early heart disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia or those who do not have a family history of related cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that leads to high cholesterol and increases the risk of heart disease. It aims to identify different subtypes of FH and how they affect the risk of cardiovascular disease. By analyzing genetic factors, cholesterol levels, and other health indicators, the study seeks to develop better methods for assessing risk in patients with FH. The findings could help healthcare providers communicate risks more effectively to patients from diverse backgrounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate risk assessments and improved treatment strategies for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in improving risk assessment for cardiovascular diseases through genetic and phenotypic analysis, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Geisinger Clinic
Danville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oetjens, Matthew — Geisinger Clinic
- Study coordinator: Oetjens, Matthew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using behavioral nudges to improve family screening for inherited high cholesterol
This project uses two patient-facing approaches based on behavioral economics to help people with familial hypercholesterolemia get their relatives screened for the condition.
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Improving Risk Stratification for Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)
A patient-facing look at a study that aims to better predict who with familial hypercholesterolemia is at highest risk for early heart disease.
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Nonviral CRISPR-Cas9 delivery to liver cells to treat familial hypercholesterolemia
A new approach uses nonviral methods to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 to liver cells and select edited cells with acetaminophen, aiming to permanently lower bad cholesterol in people with familial hypercholesterolemia.
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Implementing multi-component approaches to help blood donors with familial hypercholesterolemia(
A program to help people who donate blood and have familial hypercholesterolemia get the cholesterol-lowering treatment they need through a blood-donation center.
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Helping families find and treat inherited high cholesterol
This project tests a clinic-based program to help primary care doctors find and treat children and adults with inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia).
-
Familial hypercholesterolemia: closing gaps in prevention of heart disease
A new NIH grant is exploring why people with familial hypercholesterolemia often go undiagnosed or receive uneven care, with the goal of improving early detection and prevention of heart disease.
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.