Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited disorder of lipid metabolism characterized by high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, which means that a person can inherit and develop the disease from one parent. Mutations can be manifested by insufficient receptor synthesis or disruption of its function, and the result of that is insufficient breakdown of low-density lipoprotein and an increase in its concentration in plasma, which leads to early and accelerated atherogenesis. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a serious public health problem due to its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia, at the suggestion of several professional associations, has launched a program of screening and early detection of familial hypercholesterolemia in children before enrollment in first grade from 2023. The nurse's role in the prevention of atherosclerosis in people without hereditary familial hypercholesterolemia and in the reduction of atherosclerosis in people with familial hypercholesterolemia is manifested through the education of people, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, monitoring and risk assessment, monitoring progress in reducing risk factors, and through teamwork and multidisciplinary work.