Young people are creating LEEFH videos to raise awareness of FH

Is it okay to snack if you have FH? When should you get tested, and why is smoking so bad if you have FH? In 10 LEEFH videos, Indy, Danique, Aedan, and Rhodé explain what FH is all about. Pediatrician Bert Wiegman was the driving force behind these educational videos.

On a gray Sunday afternoon in Rotterdam, four young people gather to record videos for LEEFH: Indy, Danique, Aeden, and Rhodé, a friend of Danique's. Indy and Danique have FH, Aeden has elevated LP(a). When LEEFH asked them if they would like to help raise awareness of FH among young people, they immediately responded enthusiastically. During a brainstorming session with the four of them, they came up with the idea of making videos that could dispel misconceptions. Such as 'FH is your parents' fault' and 'If you have FH, you are too fat'. The videos will be recorded this Sunday. "I think it's important to warn people that you can have FH," says Danique. "Even if you don't feel any symptoms, it's important to take medication to prevent you from becoming ill or, even worse, suffering a cardiac arrest. If you know early on, you can do something about it," she says.

Cold cheeseburger

The videos also help to explain to others what FH means, according to the PABO student. "When I went on vacation with my friends, I noticed that they didn't really know what FH entails. Those videos can help with that." A moment later, she takes a bite of a cold cheeseburger in front of the camera. It's so gross, but it's all to get the message across that you can still eat tasty things with FH. "It's really impossible," she laughs. "But anyway, I'm sure it will come across well in the video."

Good image

Pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist "Dr. Bert" Wiegman listens in during the recordings. Of course, it has to look good, but the content has to be accurate. "I've noticed during lectures that videos help to get a message across," he says. "For example , the one by physician-researcher Shirin Ibrahim, which is already on the LEEFH website. That video is almost six minutes long, which is quite long for young people. That's why I thought it was important to also have short videos that are suitable for young people." According to Wiegman, they are an important target group when it comes to information about FH. "FH occurs in about 1 in 300 people. There is a very good chance that young people with or without FH know someone who has it. It contributes to understanding. We also want to help young people with FH get a good picture of what it is. If they have been tested at a young age, taking medication is as normal for them as brushing their teeth, and a healthy, smoke-free lifestyle is completely ingrained, these videos encourage them to keep doing so. I see that some teenagers find it difficult to follow all that advice. I hope these videos help them to persevere."