Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day

The Family Heart Foundation established Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day to raise awareness worldwide of elevated Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a).

This is something I am super passionate about, ask any of my patients. My mother had this genetic trait and following Covid in 2020 we found out my husband, Jason Ross has it also.

What is Lipoprotein(a)?

You’ll often see Lipoprotein(a) referred to as Lp(a), pronounced “L-P-little-A.”

It is an important genetic factor that increases the risk for both heart disease and stroke. Much like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, Lp(a) carries cholesterol in the blood.

What does it mean to have high Lp(a)?

The first thing to know is that Lp(a) levels are genetically determined. You inherited your Lp(a) levels, and they are completely unrelated to diet and lifestyle choices.

You can find out your Lp(a) levels with a simple blood test.

If your Lp(a) level is greater than 18, you are positive for this genetic trait.

If you have high Lp(a), this is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High levels of Lp(a) collect in your arteries, gradually narrowing them and limiting blood supply to the heart, brain, kidney, and legs.

The amount of Lp(a) in your body is determined by the genes you received at birth from your parents.

Lp(a) reaches its adult level by around age 5 and remains stable thereafter — except during acute illness and menopause, which can both cause Lp(a) to increase. Lp(a) levels are completely unrelated to your lifestyle.

Most of your General practitioners and Cardiologists do not pull this biomarker because usually insurance does not cover it and there isn’t any medications on the market, they are still doing trail runs.

Lp(a) is underrated

While most people know that low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, or "bad" cholesterol, can cause heart disease, relatively few people know about the potential risk posed by lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Yet it's estimated that up to 20% of people worldwide have high levels of Lp(a), which is associated with a person's risk of experiencing a heart attack or other serious cardiac event.1 Also referred to as "LP little a," this type of lipoprotein is comprised of an extra protein, called apolipoprotein(a) or apo(a), that is stickier than other types of LDL, so it may be more likely to cause blockages and blood clots in your arteries.5 As a result, high levels of Lp(a) may mean you are at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions related to blockages in your arteries.

The dangerous thing about Lp(a) is that it’s constantly producing soft plaque and soft plaque is unstable, which puts you at a dangerously high risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Jason and I flew out to San Diego to visit with the #1 Cardiologist/Lipidologist in the US, Dr. Tsimikas, MD, back in 2021 and I had already started Jason on a protocol to reduce his number. It all has to do with inflammation. So we began working on gut health, insulin resistance to reduce overall inflammation in his body. By the time we got to Dr. Tsimikas, 4 months after making our appt, I was able to reduce Jason’s Lp(a) from 270 to 110. Diet and lifestyle factors greatly regulate your risk factors for a heart attack or stroke.

Things you can do: 

• Know your numbers, get your bloodwork done. 
• Start an anti-inflammatory diet
• Cut out processed and fried foods
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Start a supplement protocol supporting your deficiencies

As always if you have any questions or if you are ready to get started call my office 251-949-2220

Email cindy@drcindyross.com or visit my website www.lifewellnessforever.com