An inherited cholesterol-carrying particle that helps refine your lifetime heart and stroke risk.
Lipoprotein(a), written Lp(a), is an LDL-like particle with an extra protein called apolipoprotein(a) attached. Your level is set mostly by your genes and stays fairly stable through life, so it is largely something you are born with rather than something diet changes much.
About one in five people carry a raised Lp(a). Many never know, because it is not part of a standard cholesterol panel.
A high Lp(a) is an independent, inherited risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and narrowing of the aortic valve. It adds to the risk from your other cholesterol numbers, which is why guidelines suggest measuring it at least once in adult life.
Because it is genetic, a single test usually tells you your lifelong risk band. Knowing it helps you and your doctor act earlier on the risk factors you can change.
Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.
Adult guidance values, molar units (guidance only, vary by lab):
| Risk band | Lipoprotein(a) |
|---|---|
| Desirable | < 75 nmol/L (< ~30 mg/dL) |
| Intermediate | 75 to 125 nmol/L |
| High | > 125 nmol/L (> ~50 mg/dL) |
Molar units (nmol/L) are preferred over mass units (mg/dL).
You learn whether you carry an inherited raised Lp(a) that adds to your cardiovascular risk. A high result is a prompt to manage your other risk factors more tightly as part of a personalized action plan. Most people need this measured only once.
Levels are largely genetic and change little with lifestyle or most lipid-lowering drugs. Acute inflammation can raise it temporarily. Results from mass-based (mg/dL) and molar (nmol/L) assays are not directly interchangeable, so compare like with like.
Best read alongside LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and your overall cardiovascular risk profile and family history.
What does a high result mean? It signals extra inherited risk for heart and stroke. Your clinician will interpret it alongside cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, blood pressure, and lifestyle.
Do I need to fast for this test? No. Fasting is not required for lipoprotein(a).
What can affect my result? Levels are mostly genetic and stable. Pregnancy, acute illness, certain hormones, some medicines, and assay differences can shift results slightly.
How often should I test? Many people need a one-time test. Recheck if the lab method changes or after major new therapy, as advised by your clinician.
How long do results take? Results are usually ready in about 7 days.
What should I discuss with my clinician? How the result changes your overall risk plan, targets for LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, lifestyle steps, and whether family members should be tested.
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