Bioinformatics, Epidemiology, and Lp(a) Center for Research and InnOvatioN
Education
Empowering you with knowledge to improve cardiovascular health.
What you need to know about Lp(a)
Lipoprotein(a) is a primarily gentically determined lipoprotein that is associated with cardiovascular disease through multiple mechanisms.
Elevated Lp(a) is a prevalent risk factor that is often underrecognized. It is estimated to occur in 20% or more of the entire population, but this prevalence varies by race, ethnicity and sex.
UC San Diego preventive cardiologist and assistant professor Dr. Harpreet Bhatia discusses the often underestimated and common risks of elevated Lp(a) and who is at the greatest risk.
Why is it important to screen for Lp(a)?
Elevated Lp(a) is so common in the general population (about 1 in 5), and it can be even more prevalent among certain ethnic groups such as South Asians and African Americans.
Everybody should be tested at least once in their lifetime. People at elevated cardiovascular risk (such as patients with recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular events, patients who have events at an early age, patients with a family history) should especially be tested.
Dr. Pam Taub, director of the UC San Diego BEACON, Preventive Cardiology, founding director of the Step Family Foundation Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, and Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego discusses in this video.
Lp(a) testing and potential treatment
Elevated Lp(a) is largely genetic. It is one of the most common genetic causes of cardiovascular disease.
UC San Diego preventive cardiologist and assistant professor Dr. Harpreet Bhatia discusses the importance of testing for Lp(a) and some of the potential treatments that might be indicated for those with elevated levels.
