Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] – pronounced “lipo-protein little a”, or “LP little a” is the most common inherited risk factor for heart disease. High Lp(a) levels occur in 20% of people, yet only 1-2% have ever been tested. It is structurally very similar to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which makes Lp(a) uniquely ‘sticky’. This ‘stickiness’ encourages the buildup of fatty plaques and narrowing of arteries increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. As high Lp(a) is inherited (i.e., either one or both parents have passed on the gene), the damage can begin in early childhood and accumulates over time. This means that a person who has high Lp(a) is more likely to develop premature heart disease or have a heart-related ‘event’ earlier in life than people who don’t have high levels.
Read the full article on FH Australia.
Credit: FH Australia
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