James Buckley reveals he's been diagnosed with genetic condition and is at 'high risk' of a cardiovascular incident

James Buckley has revealed he’s been diagnosed with a genetic condition that comes with an increased risk of having a cardiovascular incident.

The 38-year-old star said he had decided to get his health checked after his wife Clair was taken into hospital with severe dehydration.

Talking on a new episode of The Buckleys podcast, he said he requested a further test from his doctor after an initial blood test raised a concern.

The Inbetweeners star explained: “I’ve also had health problems as well. It’s something to do with my Lipoprotein(a), something to do with that.”

Lipoprotein(a) - or Lp(a) - is a genetically inherited type of cholesterol-carrying particle in the blood.

Higher levels Lp(a) can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to heart.org.

James Buckley has said he’s ‘had health problems’ (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Sky)

It affects around one in five people worldwide, but many people don’t know they have it as it doesn’t usually cause any symptoms until a cardiovascular event occurs.

The only way to find out your Lp(a) levels is to have a blood test, like Buckley did.

Buckley went on to say that being told about his Lp(a) had meant he was giving his lifestyle an overhaul, and cutting back on takeaways and alcohol.

He continued: “There’s nothing you can do about it, by the way. And the doctor’s just been like, ‘you need to change’.

“I'm at a high risk now for a cardiovascular incident. My heart, my arteries. I'm not a religious man, but sometimes I feel like there is a God that sort of goes ‘that'll teach you’.

“I feel like I've been on this podcast slagging people off that don't drink. Yeah, we have boring stuff.”

However, he hasn’t completely packed in the booze just yet, as he told his wife: “But I’m going to have a beer soon.”

The star also shared that he was worried that as it is genetic his two boys may also have inherited it.

Buckley’s diagnosis comes after it was reported that there’s a new Inbetweeners movie in the works, which will see our four favourite awkward fellas reunited again.

He also shared his worries that his sons may have also inherited the genetic condition (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

The series first aired on E4 between 2008 and 2010, before going on to spawn two spin-off movies, the last of which was released in August 2014.

More than a decade on, it seems as though the long-rumoured third movie could finally be on its way.

According to The Sun, Netflix has signed up Buckley, Simon Bird, Joe Thomas and Blake Harrison for a third movie and is working on getting Emily Atack back to reprise her role of Charlotte.

An insider told The Sun: "Netflix have been keen to make the project happen partly because its enjoyed a bit of a renaissance since old episodes aired on the streaming service and introduced a whole new generation to the show.

"The deal is on the cusp of being fully rubber stamped, with discussions still happening about production timelines, storylines and cast."

The source added: "Inbetweeners fans will be thrilled and relieved because when talk of a reboot emerged last year, there were fears it might not turn out to be a telly project."