Support your heart health and know your lipoprotein(a) blood levels
Lipoprotein (a) is a genetically inherited, low-density lipoprotein that is associated with plaque formation in the arteries. It also causes blood to clot more and makes it more difficult for blood clots to break down. This is a common medical condition with an estimated 20% of the population having high lipoprotein (a) level.
Your physician may order the lipoprotein (a) test if you have high LDL levels in a recent lipid panel, have had a recent cardiac event like a heart attack or stroke, have a family history of heart disease, the presence of familial hypercholesterolemia, or a family member that has elevated lipoprotein (a). The level of lipoprotein (a) is determined by a special blood test that is not part of the lipid panel that checks cholesterol levels.
Measuring lipoprotein(a) levels in the blood
The normal lipoprotein (a) normal range is less than 30 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood. Abnormal results are:
- Borderline line risk (14 to 30 mg/dL)
- High risk (greater than 31 to less than 50 mg/dL)
- Highest risk (higher than 50 mg/dL)
In early 2025, the FDA approved a new blood test to measure lipoprotein(a) in nanomoles (nmol/L) as opposed to milligrams per deciliter. This new test is designed so that measurements are accurate and not influenced by differences in particle size.
Treatment
High levels of lipoprotein(a) are associated with coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and aortic valve stenosis (narrowing). Your physician will recommend that you address behavioral risk factors, such as stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and following a program of regular exercise. Certain medications can be prescribed like statins, aspirin, and PCSK9 inhibitors.
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