Showcase – Dawn Davies

A photo of Dawn Davies and Michael Livingstone.

Dawn Davies, 44, is married with three daughters. A retired nurse, Dawn has severe familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), an inherited form of high cholesterol. Dawn's family has a history of heart attacks at a young age, caused by undiagnosed FH.

Dawn had chest pain from the age of 27, but it remained undiagnosed for seven years. Dawn then underwent an urgent bypass operation because all three coronary arteries were blocked by the high levels of cholesterol circulating in her blood. Unfortunately, the chest pain did not improve and Dawn continued to decline as her cholesterol could not be controlled even with maximum drug therapy. HEART UK and her cardiologist helped Dawn find the right treatment. Dawn has been having LDL-apheresis for a number of years and the treatment has improved her life.

awn is a Trustee of HEART UK , and was a member of the NICE guideline development group for FH. She works to help achieve a situation where everyone with FH is properly diagnosed (80% in the UK remain undiagnosed), family members of someone with FH are checked (as one in two will also inherit the condition) and that everyone with FH receives appropriate treatment and support.

Priorities

  • Helping and supporting individuals, families and healthcare professionals to understand and control cholesterol conditions and related cardiovascular risks
  • Promoting cholesterol education and research to improve identification, prevention, treatment and care
  • Working in partnership with government, the NHS, industry and other charities to promote awareness and action on cholesterol related issues
  • Promoting best clinical practice in addressing cholesterol conditions including familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH).

Web: www.heartuk.org.uk

Deputy Director: Cathy Ratcliffe

Email: cr@heartuk.org.uk and ask@heartuk.org.uk

Tel: 01628 777 046