Lipoprotein(a) is a particle of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that is bound to a protein called apolipoprotein(a).

Lipoprotein(a) is a particle of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that is bound to a protein called apolipoprotein(a).

Previous research suggests that elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) may be linked to myocardial infarction, or heart attack. In the June 10, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that genetically elevated lipoprotein(a) levels are associated with an increased risk of heart attack.

Lipoprotein(a) levels vary greatly among individuals, and these variations are partly genetic. Researchers from Denmark studied white individuals from Copenhagen, Denmark to assess whether genetic data supported a causal association between elevated lipoprotein(a) and myocardial infarction. By studying the relationship among elevated lipoprotein(a), heart attack, and a particular genetic make-up associated with increased lipoprotein(a) levels, the researchers were able to establish a causal association between genetically-elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and increased myocardial infarction risk.

Myocardial infarction remains a leading cause of disability and death despite the usage of statin therapy to reduce elevated levels of LDL cholesterol. The results of this study seem to confirm that lipoprotein(a) may be an appropriate target for heart attack prevention, at least among white individuals similar to those evaluated in this study.

Source:

JAMA. 2009;301(22):2331-2339.