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Abstract Background Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an under-diagnosed autosomal co-dominant genetic disorder characterized by very high plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), premature coronary artery disease (CAD) with arcus cornealis, and xanthomas. Among patients with CAD, the frequency of FH is significantly higher than that of the general population, but little data are available in India in this regard. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of FH in patients with premature coronary artery disease for the first time in the Jharkhand population. Results The study was conducted on 200 premature CAD patients at RIMS hospital, Ranchi, from January 2020 to June 2021 with CAG-confirmed acute coronary syndrome. The study, without taking the aid of genetic profiling of the patients and using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria, revealed quite a high (23.5%) prevalence of potential FH in patients with premature CAD apart from the conventional risk factors. Mean LDL-C levels among patients with definite, probable, possible, and no FH were recorded as 250.39, 184.32, 136.11, and 108.09 mg/dl, respectively. Arcus cornealis was seen in 55.31% of patients with potential FH, 90% in definite FH, and 44.40% with probable FH. Patients with potential FH were more likely to be younger (age