Lp(a), or lipoprotein(a), is a type of cholesterol found in your blood. It is different from the regular cholesterol (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) that most people know about. Lp(a) is mostly determined by your genes, meaning it runs in families.
Why is a High Lp(a) Level a Problem?
If your Lp(a) level is high, it increases your risk for several serious health problems, including:
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Peripheral arterial disease (narrowing of blood vessels in your legs or arms)
• Aortic stenosis (narrowing of the heart’s main valve)
• Other heart and blood vessel diseases
This means that even if you eat healthy, exercise, and have normal cholesterol, high Lp(a) can still
put you at risk.
No Symptoms :Most people with high Lp(a) feel perfectly fine and have no symptoms. You cannot
tell if you have high Lp(a) without a blood test.
How Common is High Lp(a)?: About 20% of people (1 in 5) have high Lp(a) levels. This is quite
common.
What Should You Do if You Have High Lp(a)?
• Tell your family: Since Lp(a) is inherited, your close relatives (parents, siblings,
children) might also have high Lp(a).
• Testing: Encourage your family members to ask their doctors about getting tested for
Lp(a).
• Work with your doctor: Your doctor can help you manage your overall heart risk, even
if Lp(a) is high.
Key Points to Remember
• High Lp(a) increases your risk for heart and blood vessel diseases.
• You can have high Lp(a) even if you are otherwise healthy.
• Most people have no symptoms.
• It is common—1 in 5 people may have it.
• Tell your family so they can get tested, too.
If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor for more information and guidance.