Lipoprotein a

Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is a type of LDL cholesterol. Your Lp(a) level is determined by your genes and isn’t generally affected by lifestyle.

High levels of Lp(a) may be a sign of increased risk of heart disease, though it’s not clear how much risk. Your health care provider might order an Lp(a) test if you already have atherosclerosis or heart disease but appear to have otherwise healthy cholesterol levels or if you have a family history of early-onset heart disease, sudden death or stroke.

Outside of acute inflammatory states, the Lp(a) level remains stable through an individual’s lifetime regardless of lifestyle.

Early data suggest a link between Lp(a) level and both ASCVD and valvular aortic stenosis (VAS),