Cardiovascular – Lp(a) Study
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Lipoprotein (a) or Lp (a) is one type of LDL or low-density lipoprotein. Researchers have found that high levels of lipoprotein (a) can put you at a higher risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Opinions differ on who to test and which method to use, but scientists agree that they need to find a better treatment for high lipoprotein (a) levels.
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What is Lipoprotein (a)?
Lipoprotein (a) or Lp (a) is one kind of LDL or low-density lipoprotein. LDLs (cholesterol or fats) can cause issues because they can make speed bumps of plaque that slow down your blood’s ability to flow through your arteries. Enough of these speed bumps can give you a blood-stopping blockage.
To make things worse, lipoprotein (a) makes your blood clot more and makes it harder for blood clots to break down. Blood clots are also like speed bumps. And inflammation from lipoprotein (a) makes it more likely that those speed bumps of plaque will break open, attracting more blood clots.
Is lipoprotein (a) genetic?
Yes. The genes you get from your biological parents decide your lipoprotein (a) level. The amount of lipoprotein (a) you have as a child will most likely be the level you have for years to come.
How do I find out my lipoprotein (a) level?
A blood test can tell you your lipoprotein (a) level. A healthcare provider may need to make a special request for this test. It’s not part of a standard lipid panel that checks the kinds of cholesterol everyone talks about.
What does it mean when your lipoprotein (a) is high?
If you have high lipoprotein (a), you may be more likely to have cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. This can be true even if your other cholesterol numbers are OK.
Research supports a connection between high lipoprotein (a) and high risk of these issues:
- Heart disease.
- Heart attack.
- Heart failure.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD).
- Aortic valve stenosis (narrowing).
- Stroke.
- Coronary artery disease.
*information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic