Diet and Exercise May Not Be Able to Help With This Inherited Cardiovascular Risk Factor
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If someone in your family had a heart attack or stroke before the age of 60, you could be at risk and might want to have your blood tested for this little-known hereditary risk factor, Lp(a). Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Determining and reducing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease is critical.
Lipoprotein(a), also called Lp(a), pronounced “LP Little a” is a particularly dangerous culprit. Its levels are controlled by a single gene, and a single genetic variation in this gene is enough to drastically change Lp(a) levels. Unfortunately, since it is genetically determined, diet, exercise, and lifestyle have little or no effect on Lp(a) levels. High Lp(a) can contribute to several cardiovascular conditions. These include a two to three times increase in the risk of developing:
- Coronary heart disease
- Peripheral heart disease
- Aortic valve stenosis
- Ischemic stroke
Lp(a) has been referred to as the evil twin of the more familiar LDL (bad) cholesterol and is a triple threat because it is:
- Pro-atherogenic: higher risk fatty deposits in the walls of arteries
- Pro-thrombotic: promotes blood clots
- Pro-inflammatory: inflammation is an important risk of cardiovascular disease
There are two methods of measuring Lp(a). The most common method of measuring Lp(a) is by mass, in mg/dL. Measuring how many individual particles, regardless of size, is another method and is measured in nmol/L. It is important to know which method was used when understanding your numbers. If you have never had your Lp(a) level checked, we offer Lp(a) testing to our ENCORE community for those who pre-qualify (call for details).
Currently, there are no approved therapies to lower Lp(a) levels and reduce one’s risk. However, three exciting therapies are currently being studied in clinical trials at ENCORE Research Group sites across Florida. The good news is that because of clinical research and your involvement, we have new treatments for elevated Lp(a) on the horizon!
Written by Benton Lowey-Ball, BS Behavioral Neuroscience
Sources:
Kamstrup, P. R. (2021). Lipoprotein (a) and cardiovascular disease. Clinical chemistry, 67(1), 154-166. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvaa247
Miksenas, H., Januzzi, J. L., & Natarajan, P. (2021). Lipoprotein (a) and cardiovascular diseases. JAMA, 326(4), 352-353. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3632
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