Getting Family and Friends Involved in Your Health Journey with FH
Living with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can feel isolating, but involving family and friends can make the journey much lighter and easier to manage. Support from loved ones isn’t just comforting; it can make a real difference in maintaining healthy habits and navigating the ups and downs that come with FH. Here’s how to share your experience and ask for the kind of support that can make a meaningful impact.
Share Your Story Honestly and Openly
Being diagnosed with FH can be a lot to process, and it’s natural to wonder how or even if you should explain it to others. I found that honesty was the best approach—not just about the facts but also about how I felt. Sharing my story helped my family understand that FH isn’t simply about cholesterol levels; it’s about managing a genetic condition that requires consistent attention. Being open about my emotions, from frustration to empowerment, encouraged my loved ones to feel more connected and to ask questions about how they could support me.
Explain FH in Simple Terms
Familial hypercholesterolemia isn’t a term you hear every day, and even fewer people know what it actually means. I found that explaining FH in basic terms, like “a genetic condition that makes my cholesterol really high, no matter what I eat or how much I exercise,” helped make it relatable. Sometimes, people just need a straightforward explanation to grasp why lifestyle changes are so important for managing FH—and how they can help.
Involve Them in Heart-Healthy Habits
Having family and friends on board for heart-healthy habits can make things more enjoyable and sustainable. Inviting loved ones to join in heart-healthy meals or activities like walks, hikes, or even a new workout class turned what could feel like solo goals into shared, supportive routines. Plus, when your family knows you’re working toward a healthier heart, they’re more likely to join you, making it easier for everyone to stick with it. We have family dinner at my parents house on Monday nights and mom is great about serving heart-healthy options since my dad and I both have FH.
Ask for Specific Support
The people who care about you want to help, but they may not know how unless you ask. Maybe it’s as simple as asking a friend to be your workout buddy or having a family member keep healthier options on hand at gatherings. I realized that it’s okay to ask for support without feeling like a burden. Sometimes I get a little bit nervous before my annual bloodwork, and my husband is always a great support. Since my dad also has FH, he’s been a great resource for me to lean on. When I started taking Repatha (a PCSK9 inhibitor in the form of an injectable), he showed me how to administer the shots.
Remind Them FH Is a Lifelong Journey
With FH, there’s no quick fix, which can sometimes be tough for others to grasp. Reminding friends and family that FH management is a marathon, not a sprint, helped me avoid the pressure of having to “solve” my health. Instead, they could cheer me on in a way that felt uplifting and long-lasting, like helping me celebrate each small victory or milestone in my health journey.
Involving family and friends doesn’t just make life with FH easier; it strengthens relationships and makes the journey more rewarding. By being open, honest, and specific, you can create a support system that boosts both your heart health and your heart.
