High levels of blood plasma lipoprotein are strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease .
Some types of plasma lipoprotein can be reduced through diet and exercise, but others, such as lipoprotein(a) are influenced by genetics.
A new study has found that high lipoprotein(a) increases the 30-year risk of CVD, even in healthy women.
The researchers suggest introducing routine screening to detect high lipoprotein(a).
According to the World Health OrganizationTrusted Source, in 2022, 32% of all deaths, and 38% of premature deaths, around the world were a result of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as strokes and heart attacks.
High total blood plasma cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (‘bad’ cholesterol, or LDL-C), increases a person’s risk of CVD. High-density lipoprotein, or ‘good’ cholesterol, can reduce the risk of CVD. Levels of these types of cholesterol can be managed through following a healthy diet, increasing physical activity.
However, one type of lipoprotein — Lp(a) — is largely genetically determined, so diet and lifestyle have little effect on levels of Lp(a). A study has found that high levels of this lipoprotein increase the 30-year risk of CVD, even in otherwise healthy women.
The study, led by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and published in JAMA CardiologyTrusted Source, suggests that clinicians should consider routine screening for Lp(a) to detect those who could benefit from preventive treatment.
Lead author Ask T. Nordestgaard, MD, PhD, Postdoctoral research fellow, Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, told Medical News Today:
“I believe our findings a very important, since they really show how strong a predictor of long-term CVD risk elevated Lp(a) levels are even among healthy women.”
