"Normal Cholesterol Levels, Yet a Heart Attack?" WP Highlights Hidden Lipoprotein(a) Levels [Health Talk]

[Financial News]  Experts have warned that people should not feel reassured simply because their cholesterol levels come back normal in a health checkup. The reason is that Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), which is not detected in routine blood tests, can sharply increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The Washington Post (WP) reported this in an article on the 8th local time, titled "The Sneaky Cholesterol Threatening Heart Health."
The Washington Post explained that testing for Lp(a) is important because it is a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol in the blood. This is in addition to checking low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly known as "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as "good" cholesterol, as well as triglyceride levels.
According to the report, Lp(a) is similar to LDL, but it has an additional protein attached that promotes blood clot formation and atherosclerosis. Because it is not included in standard lipid panels, many people may have high levels without knowing it.

WP identified heredity as the defining feature of Lp(a).
Because genes have a greater influence than diet or exercise, levels formed in childhood usually remain at a similar level throughout life. The report added that even with a healthy lifestyle, high Lp(a) can still raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Experts advise considering an Lp(a) test, especially if there is a family history of early heart attack or stroke, or if cardiovascular disease has occurred despite normal LDL cholesterol.
The American Heart Association (AHA) and other groups regard Lp(a) as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. They say that if blood Lp(a) levels are 125 nmol/L (50 mg/dL) or higher, the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke may rise, and at even higher levels, the risk can more than double.
WP reported that medical experts have increasingly recommended getting an Lp(a) test at least once in a lifetime to better understand personal risk. It may serve as an additional risk marker even for people without existing cardiovascular risk factors.
Jeffrey S. Berger, director of the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at NYU Langone Heart Center, said, "Lp(a) testing was not included in cholesterol management guidelines for so long because it was not clear what should be done, or could be done, about high levels."
He added, "It is still not certain whether lowering Lp(a) levels reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease," but noted that "research and drug trials are increasingly showing that lowering the levels can help prevent cardiovascular disease."

At present, there is no widely used standard treatment that directly lowers Lp(a). Several new drugs are in clinical trials, and large-scale studies are underway to verify their effectiveness.
Experts emphasized that even if Lp(a) levels are high, overall risk can still be reduced by strictly managing other cardiovascular risk factors, such as quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, and aggressively managing LDL cholesterol.
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