Lp(a)
Primary candidate for testing
If you have a history of premature heart attacks in your family, you should definitely ask for an Lp(a) test. We test every single patient for Lp(a) during their first blood draw. Because elevated Lp(a) is largely genetic, the test need only be done once (and cardiovascular disease guidelines are beginning to advise a once-a-lifetime test for it anyway). - Outlive
More about Lp-a
It turned out that the culprit was a little-known but very deadly type of particle called Lp(a) (pronounced “el-pee-little-A”). This hot mess of a lipoprotein is formed when a garden-variety LDL particle is fused with another, rarer type of protein called apolipoprotein(a), or apo(a) for short (not to be confused with apolipoprotein A or apoA, the protein that marks HDL particles). The apo(a) wraps loosely around the LDL particle, with multiple looping amino acid segments called “kringles,” so named because their structure resembles the ring-shaped Danish pastry by that name. The kringles are what make Lp(a) so dangerous: as the LDL particle passes through the bloodstream, they scoop up bits of oxidized lipid molecules and carry them along. - Outlive
“Most people have relatively small concentrations of this particle, but some individuals can have as much as one hundred times more than others. The variation is largely genetic, and an estimated 20 to 30 percent of the US population has levels high enough that they are at increased risk” - Outlive
Testing
Some researchers say it’s more accurate to measure the number of lipoprotein (a) particles in your blood than using mass units like they do with mg/dL results. - clevelandclinic.org
Levels
By mass
- Borderline risk (14 to 30 mg/dL).
- High risk (greater than 31 to less than 50 mg/dL).
- Highest risk (higher than 50 mg/dL). - clevelandclinic.org
Studies suggest that adults have an increased risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease if they have Lp(a) levels above 30 mg/dl. - medicalnewstoday.com/
Backlinks