About 1 in 5 Americans lives with high Lp(a), (also known as Lipoprotein (a) or “L-P-little a”). It’s an inherited heart risk that may increase the chance of a sudden heart attack or stroke by 2 to 4 times.
Because high Lp(a) is a genetic risk factor, anyone could have it. Even people who live a healthy lifestyle.
Lp(a) is a lipoprotein particle in your blood, which means it’s made up of fats (“lipo”) and protein. It can attach to your artery walls and cause harmful blockages.
We all have some Lp(a) in our blood, and that’s normal. What could cause problems for your heart is when you have high Lp(a). That’s why it is important to find out if you have this inherited heart risk.
High Lp(a) is inherited, which means it is passed down from your parents and is determined by your DNA. Since it’s a genetic risk factor, high Lp(a) can affect anyone—even the healthiest among us.
The best way to know if you're at risk is by getting screened with a simple blood test.
Learn how to get screened for high Lp(a).
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