When it comes to protecting your heart, you may already be familiar with LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and lifestyle habits. But there’s a lesser-known—and genetically inherited—risk factor that deserves your attention: Lipoprotein(a), also written as Lp(a) or “LP little a.”
Lp(a) is a cholesterol-like particle that circulates in your bloodstream. Unlike LDL or HDL cholesterol, it’s largely determined by your genes, not your lifestyle. And while it doesn’t usually cause symptoms on its own, elevated levels of Lp(a) significantly raise your risk for heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and aortic valve disease.
Why Should You Care About Lp(a)?
Lp(a) is genetic—you’re either born with elevated levels or not. It can increase risk for heart attacks and strokes—even with normal cholesterol. About 1 in 5 people worldwide have high Lp(a). In the U.S. alone, an estimated 63 million people have elevated Lp(a)—most don’t know it.
Key Numbers to Know
High Lp(a) is considered anything above 50 mg/dL or 125 nmol/L. It is not part of routine cholesterol tests—you must request it specifically. Elevated levels often show no symptoms until serious events like stroke or heart attack occur.
Who Should Get Tested?
You should consider testing your Lp(a) levels if:
✔️ You have a family history of early heart disease or stroke
✔️ You’ve personally had a heart attack or stroke without clear causes
✔️ You have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition where the body struggles to clear LDL (“bad” cholesterol)
✔️ You are of African or South Asian descent, as studies show these populations have the highest Lp(a) levels
✔️ You are postmenopausal, have diabetes, or chronic kidney disease—all of which can contribute to higher levels
If you’ve been diagnosed with high Lp(a), it’s important to encourage your close family members to get tested too.
Can Lp(a) Be Treated?
Here’s what makes Lp(a) tricky: lifestyle changes do not lower Lp(a)—diet, exercise, and weight loss won’t affect your levels. However, these habits are still vital for reducing your overall heart disease risk.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments that specifically target Lp(a), but exciting new therapies are in clinical trials. Some include antisense oligonucleotides—a breakthrough that targets Lp(a) production at the genetic level.
At Cross County Cardiology, our team is actively following these developments and will be among the first to help patients access these treatments as they become available.
How We Support You
Even without direct Lp(a) treatment, we help you manage your risk through:
âś… Advanced heart screenings and personalized risk assessments
âś… Medication strategies to manage cholesterol and inflammation
âś… Lifestyle coaching and preventive care for long-term heart protection
âś… Family risk counseling so your loved ones can take action too
Our mission is to empower patients through education, proactive care, and science-backed solutions—even for conditions that are often overlooked.
What You Can Do Today
You can’t change your genes—but you can change your future.
Here’s how:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Stay active with regular exercise
- Stop tobacco use
- Prioritize sleep and stress management
- Take your medications exactly as prescribed
- Ask your doctor to test your Lp(a)
Final Thoughts
Lp(a) may be invisible—but its impact on your heart is not. If you're living with high levels or have a strong family history, now is the time to act.
Schedule a comprehensive heart risk evaluation with Cross County Cardiology today and take control of your cardiovascular future.
