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*Elevated Lp(a) levels defined as ≥50 mg/dL or ≥125 nmol/L.1,8

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Elevated Lp(a) is a unique and genetically determined condition that can increase risk for ASCVD5-7

Watch the video to see how Lp(a) testing can uncover a potential CV risk in patients with premature ASCVD (age <55 years in men, <65 years in women)—and their family members.2-4,8,9

Despite its clinical significance, Lp(a) levels are often not measured as part of a standard CV risk assessment8,10-12

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*Atherogenicity was defined as the difference in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk per unit difference in Lp(a) or LDL particle number (molar concentration). This study was based principally on the UK Biobank population (>502,000 UK residents of mainly European ancestry). A replication cohort, the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D (Coronary ARtery DIsease Genome wide Replication and Meta-analysis [CARDIoGRAM] plus the Coronary Artery Disease Genetics) data set, was used to test the generalizability of the findings.13

  • Lp(a) levels are ~90% genetically determined, typically established by 5 years of age, relatively consistent over time, and generally not affected by diet or lifestyle1,2,5

  • In one study, the higher a person's Lp(a) level, the higher their risk for a lifetime CV event1

  • The CV risk from elevated Lp(a) is independent of other risk factors5,7-9,14-16

An elevated Lp(a) test result is actionable today and can help you better manage your patients' overall CV risk8,9

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ASCVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; CV, cardiovascular; Lp(a), Lipoprotein(a).

References: 1. Kronenberg F, Mora S, Stroes ESG, et al. Lipoprotein(a) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and aortic stenosis: a European Atherosclerosis Society consensus statement. Eur Heart J. 2022;43(39):3925-3946. 2. Wilson DP, Jacobson TA, Jones PH, et al. Use of Lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice: a biomarker whose time has come. A scientific statement from the National Lipid Association. J Clin Lipidol. 2019;13(3):374-392. 3. Tian X, Zhang N, Tse G, et al. Association between lipoprotein(a) and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Heart J Open. 2024;4(3):oeae031. 4. Rallidis LS, Pavlakis G, Foscolou A, et al. Atherosclerosis. 2018;269:29-34. 5. Tsimikas S. A test in context: lipoprotein(a): diagnosis, prognosis, controversies, and emerging therapies. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69(6):692-711. 6. Jawi MM, Frohlich J, Chan SY. Lipoprotein(a) the insurgent: a new insight into the structure, function, metabolism, pathogenicity, and medications affecting lipoprotein(a) molecule. J Lipids. 2020;2020:3491764. 7. Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al. Lipoprotein(a): a genetically determined, causal, and prevalent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2022;42(1):e48-e60. 8. Koschinsky ML, Bajaj A, Boffa MB, et al. A focused update to the 2019 NLA scientific statement on use of lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice. J Clin Lipidol. 2024;18(3):e308-e319. 9. Handelsman Y, Jellinger PS, Guerin CK, et al. Consensus statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology on the management of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease algorithm. Endocr Pract. 2020;26(10):1196-1224. 10. Bhatia HS, Hurst S, Desai P, et al. Lipoprotein(a) testing trends in a large academic health system in the United States. J Am Heart Assoc. 2023;12(18):e031255. 11. Nissen SE, Wolski K, Cho L, et al. Lipoprotein(a) levels in a global population with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Open Heart. 2022;9:1-8. 12. Rendler J, Murphy M, Yeang C. Lipoprotein(a) is a prevalent yet vastly underrecognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Health Care Curr Rev. 2024;12(2):1-9. 13. Björnson E, Adiels M, Taskinen MR, et al. Lipoprotein(a) is markedly more atherogenic than LDL: an apolipoprotein B-based genetic analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024;83(3):385-395. 14. Willeit P, Kiechl S, Kronenberg F, et al. Discrimination and net reclassification of cardiovascular risk with lipoprotein(a). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(9):851-860. 15. Madsen CM, Kamstrup PR, Langsted A, et al. Lipoprotein(a)-lowering by 50 mg/dL (105 nmol/L) may be needed to reduce cardiovascular disease 20% in secondary prevention: a population-based study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2020;40(1):255-266. 16. Willeit P, Ridker PM, Nestel PJ, et al. Baseline and on-statin treatment lipoprotein(a) levels for prediction of cardiovascular events: individual patient-data meta-analysis of statin outcome trials. Lancet. 2018;392(10155):1311-1320.