QUICK SUMMARY
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is an inherited cholesterol particle that can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and aortic valve disease—even in people with otherwise normal cholesterol levels. Unlike LDL cholesterol, Lp(a) is largely determined by genetics and remains stable throughout life, meaning lifestyle changes have little effect on its level. However, knowing your Lp(a) can help doctors better understand your long-term cardiovascular risk and personalise prevention strategies. If your Lp(a) is elevated, the focus should not be on panic but on aggressive control of other risk factors such as LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and weight. A single Lp(a) test in adulthood is recommended for many people, especially those with a strong family history of premature heart disease.
Understanding Your Lipid Profile
Watch Time 25 Min
Weight Loss
Key Takeaways
Lp(a) is a genetically inherited form of cholesterol that behaves differently from LDL.
About 1 in 5 people have elevated Lp(a), with South Asians appearing to have a higher prevalence.
High Lp(a) increases the lifetime risk of heart attack, stroke, and calcific aortic valve disease.
Lifestyle changes do not significantly lower Lp(a), but they greatly reduce overall cardiovascular risk.
Current treatments focus on lowering LDL cholesterol and controlling other risk factors rather than directly lowering Lp(a).
Downloadable Resource
Know Your Heart Risk: Prevention Planning Guide
8 Pages-PDF
Download our practical guide explaining cholesterol numbers, inherited heart risk, healthy lifestyle strategies, and the key tests that help personalise cardiovascular prevention.
Who Should Watch This Video?
Patients with elevated LDL cholesterol or Familial Hypercholesterolaemia
People who have recently received an abnormal Lp(a) test result
Individuals interested in preventive cardiology
Anyone wanting to better understand inherited cardiovascular risk
