Millie's story

A 17 year old girl with high cholesterol?

''My granddad was a hardworking, healthy, non-smoker who showed no signs of heart disease. In 1998, he was playing in a charity football match when he suffered a heart attack and died suddenly on the pitch, totally unaware that he had FH (familial hypercholesterolaemia). Since he passed away in such a tragic way at age 49, it was a massive shock to my entire family and the community. He died a legend on the pitch and is still well-remembered and loved by people in my home city, Salisbury.

When I was 17, my mum suggested that, as a precaution, I should check my cholesterol levels due to the loss of my granddad. We went to see my GP and then my cholesterol was checked. The next day, I was asked to come in urgently the following morning  to the practice where I was diagnosed with FH. I had a total cholesterol reading of 9.8 mmol/L. I felt weird in my own skin for some time, especially as I was legally a child with such a high level.  

I am now 25 and have tried three different statins over my journey with FH. Each type has given me on-going and nasty side effects. I eventually found the perfect solution for me which is a new injectable drug which can be prescribed for patients like me. It has given me an easy life, brought down my cholesterol to around 3/4, and it's something I only have to do every 2 weeks. 

In memory of my granddad, who I never had the privilege to meet, I decided to volunteer as a HEART UK Ambassador to inspire, educate and support young people and young adults with a similar diagnosis to mine who have felt alone during this time.

When I collect my medication,  I am often triple checked if it’s for me and not for an older member of my family! FH affects the young and the old as you are born with it. I want to spread awareness about the condition so that more young people are diagnosed and to help end this stigma that high cholesterol only affects older people''.