Doctors have warned that 100,000 people are at risk from a potentially fatal heart condition.
According to a report from the Royal College of Physicians, the NHS is failing to screen people who may have the inherited condition familial hypercholesterolaemia, or FH.The disease results in extremely high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Half of men carrying the gene will develop heart disease by the age of 55.
A third of affected women develop heart problems by 60.
But although half a patient's first degree relatives will also carry the gene, the NHS does not routinely carry out testing of families.
The report says more funding is needed to carry out tests
Report author Professor Steve Humphries said: "If they are not found, they won't be being given advice and statin treatment.
"They are at very high risk of early heart attacks. A lot of them will die or their hearts will be damaged and they'll need expensive rehabilitation."
The report estimates that 120,000 people in England have the condition, but 85% are undiagnosed.
It says clinics need proper funding to test the brothers, sisters and children of any patient.
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