Heart attack gene discovered in 180 Bavarian families - Munich doctors: “Decisive step”. Millions of Germans affected by elevated cholesterol levels.
Only five percent of cases of familial hypercholesterolemia have so far been discovered in Germany - usually only after the heart attack. In Germany, almost 200,000 people suffer a heart attack and almost 270,000 have a stroke every year. A maximum of 30 percent of cholesterol levels can be reduced through diet, and regular exercise can also help.