What genetic condition results in very high LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of early heart disease?

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition characterized by extremely high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Individuals with this disorder have a mutation in the genes responsible for the receptors that remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. As a result, they are unable to effectively clear LDL from their system, leading to elevated cholesterol levels from a young age.

This significantly increases their risk of developing early heart disease due to the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, which can lead to atherosclerosis—a condition where the arteries become narrowed and hardened, increasing the chances of heart attacks and cardiovascular complications. Moreover, familial hypercholesterolemia is often inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that having just one copy of the mutated gene from a parent is sufficient to develop the condition.

The other options listed do not specifically target high LDL cholesterol as the primary issue associated with the condition. Heart disease is a broader category, and while it can be influenced by high cholesterol, it is not a genetic condition in itself. Marfan syndrome and cardiomyopathy are unrelated genetic disorders that primarily affect connective tissue and the heart muscle, respectively, and do not specifically lead to high LDL cholesterol levels. Therefore, familial hypercholesterolemia is