【Rescue in Seconds】Familial Hypercholesterolemia（FH） Patient Emergency Response Workshop

At 7:00 PM on September 20, 2025, FH China Patient Network collaborated with Dr. Yang Fei, Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the First Hospital of Northwest University, to deliver a specialized emergency training session tailored for FH patients, themed "Self-Rescue and Emergency Response to Acute Cardiovascular Events."

Patient Stories: The Most Vivid Warnings

On April 13, 2024, patient Xiao Wei experienced chest pain and tightness, along with numbness radiating to his back and left arm. He endured the symptoms for several hours until they slightly improved, but that night he suffered from palpitations and was unable to sleep. The next day, he went to Beijing Anzhen Hospital, where he was diagnosed with myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography revealed left main stem involvement combined with triple-vessel disease. He underwent stent placement surgery on April 29 and continues to adhere tolipid-lowering medication to this day.

Patient Ms. Ji shared: "Sometimes I suddenly feel tightness in my throat and have difficulty breathing. This had been happening for over half a year. Later, after seeing a doctor, I learned it was angina pectoris. Since then, I’ve been taking isosorbide mononitrate and trimetazidine regularly. Now, if I walk too fast, get anxious, or eat too much, the symptoms may still occur, but each episode can be relieved by resting for a while or drinking some water."

The Cardiovascular Crisis of FH Is Closer Than You Think

At the beginning of the training, Dr. Yang Fei shared: "The risk of coronary heart disease in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is many times higher than that of the general population. Many patients may experience a heart attack as early as their 30s—or even younger—and sudden cardiac arrest is often the first warning sign."

Nods of recognition spread through the audience of patients and family members. Some recalled older relatives who had suddenly passed away from heart attacks; others shared how carotid artery plaques had already been detected during routine check-ups. One parent expressed anxiety: "My child is still so young, but with such high LDL-C levels—what if the same happens in the future…?"

Dr. Yang further explained that the cardiovascular system of an FH patient is like a "pressure cooker": excessively high cholesterol accumulates in the blood vessel walls over time, forming plaques that narrow the arteries. If a plaque ruptures or a blood vessel spasms, it can instantly trigger a myocardial infarction, malignant arrhythmia, or even sudden cardiac arrest. "These emergencies don’t come with a warning, but we can learn how to respond before

they happen."

On-Site Q&A Session

Patients and family members at the scene raised their hands eagerly, asking questions that were both specific and deeply rooted in concern for their health—

ü "How should we manage exercise intensity for a child diagnosed with FH?"

ü "I often feel heart palpitations at night and can't sleep—does this increase the risk of a heart attack?"

ü "If an elderly family member suddenly has chest pain, what should we do first?"

Dr. Yang Fei responded with a warm smile, answering each question in clear, accessible language. She particularly emphasized that managing FH requires "the whole family's involvement"—regular check-ups, adherence to medication, and scientific prevention are all essential components of care.

Theory Meets Practice: CPR and AED Training

"If someone suddenly collapses, loses consciousness, and has no breathing or only gasping breaths like agonal respirations—this could be sudden cardiac arrest!" emphasized Dr. Yang Fei during her on-site demonstration. "The golden window for rescue is only four minutes. For every minute that passes without intervention, the chance of survival decreases by 10%. After ten minutes,irreversible brain damage is likely."

For FH patients, the risk is even greater: due to poor underlying vascular health, cardiac arrest can be more sudden and severe.

Yet, "not knowing how to perform first aid" has long been a major challenge for many patients and families. "I’m afraid to do chest compressions in case I hurt them," "Could an AED (automated external defibrillator) shock harm the person?" "If my child collapses, what should I do first?"

To address these concerns, Dr. Yang and the team members of the FH China Patient Network Emergency Response Team systematically addressed each one through a combination of "theory and hands-on practice":

Step 1: Assess and Call for Help

"Tap the person’s shoulders and shout their name; check if their chest is rising and falling. If there’s no breathing or only gasping, call 120 immediately, and ask someone nearby to bring an AED!"

Step 2: Perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

"Place one hand over the other, press with the heel of your hands at the center of the chest—midway between the nipples. Compress at a rate of 100–120 times per minute, with a depth of at least 5 centimeters. Think of it as 'pushing hard on a spring'—allow the chest to fully recoil after each compression!" Dr. Yang demonstrated in real time, correcting participants’ techniques personally. "Keep your elbows straight and use your upper body weight—not just your arms!" One by one, patients took turns practicing on manikins.

Step 3: Using an AED

"Turn on the device → follow the voice prompts → attach the electrode pads → stand clear while it analyzes → press the 'Shock' button if advised." Dr. Yang emphasized: "An AED is like a 'reboot' for the heart. It automatically determines whether a shock is needed and will never deliver one to someone who doesn’t require it. For FH patients, we strongly recommend having an AED at home or in frequently visited places—like schools or gyms."

Closing Remarks

FH is not just a medical condition; it is a life issue that demands broader societal attention. Through trainings like this, we hope every FH family can face the future with greater calm
and readiness so that when an emergency strikes, we are no longer helpless bystanders, but
empowered lifesavers ready to act within the golden window.

The countdown to life’s most critical moments never comes with warning—but we can prepare in advance.

This specialized first aid training, tailored specifically for FH patients and their families, did more than teach CPR and AED use. It conveyed a powerful belief: in the face of disease, knowledge is the best protective gear, and love combined with preparation is the strongest support we can offer one another.

May every FH patient walk forward in safety, and may every crisis be met with someone who knows how to help—just in time.