It’s not often that the “old” people are worried about the “young” people having heart attacks.
But, unfortunately, that’s the reality for the Watts family. Their seven-year-old daughter, Avery, has been diagnosed with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia, or HoFH. This condition causes the “bad” cholesterol to build up, which, consequently, causes the arteries to clog.
That’s the problem—in HoFH the liver is unable to remove the cholesterol, possibly leading to premature cardiovascular disease.
Both of Avery’s parents, Jason and Michelle, carry the Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia, or HeFH, gene, which has caused Avery’s condition. HeFH is more common than HoFH; it’s not as severe, but still causes high LDL cholesterol in about 1 in 250 people.
Even though Avery is so young, because her liver doesn’t function well, there is already significant build up in her body that requires aggressive treatment.
Every other Friday, Avery spends three hours receiving a treatment called LDL apheresis, which cleans out the bad cholesterol that her body is unable to do itself.
Luckily, the treatment is typically covered by insurance. And good thing, because each can cost about $25,000! Doctors call it the “best available treatment” for Avery right now, although, in the future, a liver transplant is an option.
But, for now, Avery is enjoying the things that every other little girl does—gymnastics, ballet, tap dancing. And this winter she’ll be performing in the local performance of the Nutcracker.
Who ever said HoFH had to slow you down!?
