Finding out that your lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is high can be frustrating.
Unlike many cardiovascular risk factors, Lp(a) is largely determined by your genes. Eating differently, losing weight or exercising more usually has only a small effect on the Lp(a) level itself.
But this does not mean that there is nothing you can do.
High Lp(a) is one part of your overall cardiovascular risk. Other factors also influence whether atherosclerosis develops and whether it causes problems later in life.
One of the most important is LDL cholesterol. When Lp(a) is elevated, careful control of LDL cholesterol becomes particularly important. Depending on your overall cardiovascular risk, your doctor may recommend a lower LDL target and, when appropriate, cholesterol-lowering treatment.
Blood pressure matters too. So do blood glucose, smoking, physical activity, body weight and diet. These factors may not substantially lower Lp(a) itself, but improving them can reduce your overall cardiovascular risk.
Your family history is also worth knowing. Because Lp(a) is largely inherited, premature heart attack or stroke in close relatives can provide important additional information about your risk.
For some people, a high Lp(a) result may lead to a more detailed cardiovascular assessment. This depends on age, other risk factors, family history, symptoms and the individual clinical picture.
The goal is not simply to focus on one abnormal blood result. It is to use that information to build a more complete and more individual prevention strategy.
