What genetic condition is associated with dangerously high cholesterol levels?

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition characterized by extremely high levels of cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, in the blood. This condition is caused by a mutation in genes that play a crucial role in the body's ability to remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, leading to elevated cholesterol levels from a young age. Individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia have a significantly increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, often occurring earlier in life compared to the general population.

In contrast, cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle that can affect heart function but is not directly linked to cholesterol levels. Hyperlipidemia is a broader term that encompasses various types of abnormal lipid levels in the blood, including but not limited to familial hypercholesterolemia, so it doesn't specifically denote a genetic basis. Coronary artery disease is a condition that can arise from high cholesterol levels, but it is more a consequence rather than a primary genetic condition itself. Therefore, familial hypercholesterolemia is the most accurate choice in this context as it directly identifies the genetic basis for dangerously high cholesterol levels.