Lipoprotein (a), Lp (a)

Please note that independent interpretation of results is not acceptable; the information below is for informational purposes only.

Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is a specific type of lipoprotein involved in cholesterol transport in the blood and is considered an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

An increased level of Lp(a) may contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels and increase the risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.

Unlike standard cholesterol parameters, Lp(a) levels are mainly determined by genetic factors and are only slightly influenced by lifestyle. Therefore, this test helps identify an additional inherited cardiovascular risk, even when total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels are within normal ranges.

Indications

Lp(a) testing is recommended:

• for assessing individual risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases;
• in people with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, stroke at a young age);
• for patients with a family history of elevated cholesterol levels;
• in the presence of atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels;
• for patients with cardiovascular disease despite normal lipid profile results;
• for more accurate cardiovascular risk assessment before initiating preventive therapy;
• for comprehensive risk evaluation in patients with elevated LDL-cholesterol levels.

Test method

Measurement of lipoprotein (a) concentration in blood is performed using the immunoturbidimetric method (or another validated immunochemical method depending on the laboratory platform used).

The method is based on the specific interaction between antibodies and Lp(a) molecules in the blood sample, allowing quantitative determination of its concentration.

Procedure

The test is performed by collecting a venous blood sample.

The sample is sent to the laboratory, where the concentration of lipoprotein (a) is measured. The result is interpreted by a physician considering the patient’s age, family history, cardiovascular risk factors, and other lipid metabolism indicators.
 

Sources:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2792280
https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/48379
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/20/6040
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2025/12/01/01/feature-lipoprotein-a
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2019/07/02/08/05/lipoproteina-in-clinical-practice

IMPORTANT
The information in this section is not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment. If you experience pain or worsening symptoms, you should consult a physician to establish an accurate diagnosis. Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. For the most precise and consistent evaluation of test results, it is recommended to have them performed in the same laboratory. This is because different laboratories may use different methods and measurement units for similar analyses.