DefinitionFamilial hypercholesterolemia is a disorder of high LDL ("bad") cholesterol that is passed down through families, which means it is inherited. The condition begins at birth and can cause heart attacks at an early age.See also:Familial combined hyperlipidemiaFamilial hypertriglyceridemiaFamilial dysbetalipoproteinemiaAlternative NamesType II hyperlipoproteinemia; Hypercholesterolemic xanthomatosis; Low density lipoprotein receptor mutationCauses, incidence, and risk factorsFamilial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder caused by a defect on chromosome 19.The defect makes the body unable to remove low density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol from the blood. This results in high levels of LDL in the blood. High levels of LDL cholesterol make you more likely to have narro