A WOMAN found to have a dangerously high level of cholesterol in her twenties has backed a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol.

Kath Devlin, from Selby, was encouraged to have a cholesterol test because her father had a heart attack in his mid-40s.

The results showed that her cholesterol was 10.1, twice the maximum levels, and she was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), which can lead to premature heart disease, in 2009.

“I was completely shocked to be diagnosed with FH as I was in my 20s and I thought it was ridiculous that I had this genetic condition and would have to take statins for the rest of my life,” she said.

“I thought statins were just something that generally older, unhealthy people needed to take. Being diagnosed with FH has had an impact on my life as life insurance payments are higher.

“Also when I wanted to start a family, I had to stop taking them for a three months, which worried me but my GP and consultant have been very supportive.”

Heart UK, the cholesterol charity, set up a day of action yesterday at the House of Commonswill and met with their local MPs to highlight the work of the charity and the importance of raising awareness of all forms of high cholesterol including FH.

Heart UK is calling for the government to develop a screening programme to improve the identification and diagnosis of people with FH.

Jules Payne, chief executive officer at Heart UK, said: “It’s a tragedy that the diagnosis of FH is so poor, putting men, women and children with FH at risk of early heart attacks and strokes.

“If diagnosed and treated people with FH and high cholesterol, can live as long as those without the condition.”