More than 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable.1 A high Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), level can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) as well as a higher likelihood of thrombosis (blood clotting). This can lead to heart attack, stroke or other blood vessel and heart valve diseases.
Our Lipoprotein(a) Test measures the amount of Lp(a) in your blood, and the results can help you and your healthcare provider decide if further testing or treatment is necessary.
Note: This screening test is not intended to diagnose cardiovascular disease (CVD) or other diseases.
Preparation: No special preparation needed.
An Lp(a) blood test can give you a more complete understanding of your risk for CVD than a standard cholesterol test that only measures your traditional LDL cholesterol levels.3
An Lp(a) blood test can give you a more complete understanding of your risk for CVD than a standard cholesterol test that only measures your traditional LDL cholesterol levels.3 Lp(a) particles are stickier than other types of LDL, so they may lead to blockages and blood clots in arteries.
High Lp(a) levels run in families. Lp(a) levels are 70% to 90% genetically determined.6 If you have a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease, have high LDL cholesterol or you’ve suffered more than one heart attack, this screening test may be right for you.
Many people with high Lp(a) do not have symptoms. Because your heart health is directly linked to your overall health, knowing all your risk factors allows you a better chance to take action.
Many people with high Lp(a) do not have symptoms. Because your heart health is directly linked to your overall health, knowing all your risk factors allows you a better chance to take action.
This test in conjunction with other recommended health tests by your provider along with your clinical history can help you understand your cardiovascular risk.
References
1. Heart.org. CDC Prevention Programs (Heart Disease). May 18, 2018. https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate/federal-priorities/cdc-prevention-programs. Accessed April 19, 2023.
2. Labcorp. Lipoprotein(a) Test. 2021. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120188/lipoprotein-a. Accessed April 19, 2023.
3. Medline Plus.gov. Cholesterol Levels: What is a Cholesterol Test? https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/. Accessed April 19, 2023.
4. Medline Plus.gov. Familial hypercholesterolemia. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-hypercholesterolemia/. Accessed April 19, 2023.
5. Medline Plus.gov. Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test: What is a Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test? https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/. Accessed April 19, 2023.
6. Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al. Lipoprotein(a): A Genetically Determined, Causal, and Prevalent Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. Published online October 14, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/atv.0000000000000147
7. Lipoprotein (a) | CDC. www.cdc.gov. Published July 5, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/lipoprotein_a.htm
<p><b>References</b></p> <p><b>1. </b>Heart.org. CDC Prevention Programs (Heart Disease). May 18, 2018. <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate/federal-priorities/cdc-prevention-programs" title="CDC Prevention Programs (Heart Disease)">https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate/federal-priorities/cdc-prevention-programs</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>2. </b>Labcorp. Lipoprotein(a) Test. 2021. <a href="https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120188/lipoprotein-a" title="Lipoprotein(a) Test">https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120188/lipoprotein-a</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>3. </b>Medline Plus.gov. Cholesterol Levels: What is a Cholesterol Test? <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/">https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>4. </b>Medline Plus.gov. Familial hypercholesterolemia. <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-hypercholesterolemia/" title="Medline Plus.gov. Familial hypercholesterolemia">https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-hypercholesterolemia/</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>5. </b>Medline Plus.gov. Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test: What is a Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test? <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/">https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>6.</b> Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al. Lipoprotein(a): A Genetically Determined, Causal, and Prevalent Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. <i>Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology</i>. Published online October 14, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/atv.0000000000000147</p> <p><b>7. </b>Lipoprotein (a) | CDC. www.cdc.gov. Published July 5, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/lipoprotein_a.htm</p>
This test measures for levels of lipoprotein(a), a type of “bad” cholesterol.
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance made by your liver. Your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. There is “good” and “bad” cholesterol in the body but too much cholesterol can pose a problem.
Lipoproteins include LDL, HDL, Lp(a). Lp(a) is a specific LDL that carries “bad” cholesterol to the cells in your arteries. A routine cholesterol test, also called a lipid profile or lipid panel, measures your LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels.3 However, the test doesn’t measure the number of each lipoprotein that can lead to heart disease, including Lp(a). Even if your LDL levels are in the normal range, Lp(a) levels may still be high. This means your risk for heart disease and stroke could still be high.
This test is appropriate for individuals who have certain health conditions or markers that indicate a high risk for atherosclerosis. These include people who have:
• A personal history of heart disease or stroke before 55 in men and 65 in women
• Female family members who had a heart attack or stroke before age 65
• Male family members who had a heart attack or stroke before age 55
• High LDL cholesterol, even though you take medicine to lower it
• Heart or blood vessel disease (especially if your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are normal without taking medicine to lower them)
• Familial hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) 4
• A personal history of multiple heart attacks and/or procedures to open up blocked arteries5
The National Lipid Association published a clinical guideline in 2022 to recommend who should be tested. You can share this publication with your provider when discussing your results.
Values of Lp(a) greater than or equal to 75.0 nmol/L may indicate a risk factor for heart disease. The Lp(a) levels in different ethnic populations can vary widely.2 Speak with your healthcare provider about various risk factors you may have.
Your results will tell you the level of lipoprotein(a) in your blood sample. Lp(a) levels greater than or equal to 75.0 nmol/L may indicate a risk factor for heart disease.2
A high Lp(a) level indicates you may have an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the blood vessels. There are currently no targeted treatments to lower Lp(a) levels at this time. However, you should share any abnormal results with your healthcare provider to discuss other treatments (such as statins) or ways to reduce your overall risk of heart disease including lifestyle changes (such as well-balanced nutrition and physical activity).
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