Fran Emmolo Gamella is a young mother of two living with Familial Hypercholesterolemia. She was diagnosed with FH in her mid-20s but it wasn’t until she had a heart attack at age 31 that she became really serious about her medical care. Her six-year-old daughter has also been diagnosed with FH. Fran works as a Medical Assistant in a primary care practice setting and is passionate about raising awareness for FH. LDL of >190— definitely get it checked out!




Story Reference Points:

Fran’s diagnosis with FH in her mid-20s… and her 6yo daughter’s diagnosis @ 1:52

So…. what is FH? @ 7:49

23andme and FH testing @ 11:28

Misperceptions of what it “looks like” to have high cholesterol @ 13:55

Fran on being a non-compliant or “bad” patient @ 16:55

Fran’s heart attack… and her denial of the symptoms @ 18:30

Adjusting to what it takes to live a healthy life with FH @ 22:40

Challenges of insurance coverage @ 25:34





Links and Resources

The FH Foundation

Connect with the FH Foundation on Social Media:

The FH Foundation on Twitter: @TheFHFoundation

The FH Foundation on Instagram: @fhfoundation

The FH Foundation on Facebook

Grey Genetics News Corner blog post: Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Screening, diagnosis and management of pediatric and adult patients. National Lipid Association. 2011.


Grey Genetics News Corner blog post: What can 23andMe results tell you about your cholesterol-related risks?


Listen to a previous Patient Stories Podcast with Colleen McCready: Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The Symptomless Sickness




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