Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]
Here’s what it reflects — and what to do about it.
Longetic pulls together every lab and record you’ve had, follows how Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] changes over time, and explains what’s shifting — so you walk into your next appointment prepared, with reminders for retests along the way.
What is Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]?
A specific, largely inherited type of bad cholesterol particle that tends to be stickier than usual.
Your Lp(a) level is set mostly by your genes and stays fairly stable for life, so it can reveal an inherited layer of heart-and-stroke risk that a standard cholesterol test may miss. A higher Lp(a) can be associated with greater risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke even when other cholesterol numbers look fine. It is usually tested once rather than routinely; the 2018 ACC/AHA guideline treats an Lp(a) of 50 mg/dL (or 125 nmol/L) or above as a risk-enhancing factor and notes a relative indication to measure it with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
What to know about Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]
Understanding Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] means knowing what it reflects, what tends to move it, and the signs that suggest it’s worth a closer look — so you can bring the right questions to your next appointment.
This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Medical Disclaimer.
References
About our sources
Official sources
Government health agencies, national institutes, and intergovernmental bodies whose guidelines carry regulatory or policy weight.
Clinical / professional
Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.
Peer-reviewed research
Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.