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A Novel Blood Test May Now Show You Have Blocked Arteries Even With Minimal Symptoms
A simple $99 test could be a game changer but has important caveats.
Lp(a), pronounced “LP little a,” is a novel blood fat (lipid) that is drawing more attention as a marker for severe CAD (coronary artery disease). Although it was discovered in 1963, it is only lately that much attention has focused on its importance as a marker for heart disease.
Lp(a) is an interesting lipoprotein. Although its existence is not new, there has been a surge in interest in measuring levels for predicting heart disease. Lp(a) is a dense type of lipid that, when levels are high (>125 mmol/L), is good at predicting heart disease. Not to confuse you, but another lipoprotein, apoB, is part of the Lp(a) particle and can also be measured and, if high, predicts heart disease.
Of note, Lp(a) levels are genetic and can not be lowered with drugs. However, apoB levels can be lowered with medication, diet, and exercise. Blood tests for Lp(a) and apoB are not as widely available as standard lipid tests for total cholesterol, TG, LDL and HDL cholesterols. Some experimental drugs show promise in lowering Lp(a).
This month, a report was published that looked at the power of Lp(a) in identifying blocked arteries even…
