A Heart Disease Risk Even Your Doctor May Not Know About

Thursday, March 1, 2018

May Not Know About (NAPSA)—If you're like most people, you're familiar with LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL eeeneeen atIncreased risk of cardiovascular disease. It's genetic, (high-density lipoprotein), particles in the blood that carry whatis often referred to as “bad” and “good” cholesterol. There is, however, another lipoprotein particle you should be aware of: lipoprotein(a), also knownas Lp(a), which poses a high risk of early cardiovasculardisease. The Danger High levels of Lp(a) travel through the bloodstream and enter into the arteries, leading to gradual narrowing ofthe artery that can limit blood supply to the heart or brain. This increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke and aortic stenosis. Lp(a) is the most prevalent genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis. Onein five people have inherited high Lp(a)—63 million in the U.S. Anyone with a parent with elevated Lp(a) has a high risk of inheriting it. People with high levels of Lp(a) can be atrisk even if they're physically fit and have “normal” LDL and HDLcho- lesterol levels. Unfortunately, for many, the first sign of the disease is a heart attack orstroke. Simple Test May Be The Answer The good news is a simple bloodtest measures Lp(a) concentrations, though it’s not included in most standardlipid paneltests. Current cholesterol guide- It’s a healthy idea to knowall your cholesterol numbers, no matter how fit you feel. Lp(a), work with your physician to develop an aggressive prevention plan. 3.Vigilance: People with high Lp(a) levels should be aware of stroke and heart attack symptoms. “Fit, healthy people can inherit genetic factors like high Lp(a) that cause early heart disease” said Dr. Henry N. Ginsberg, the Irving Professor of Med- icine at Columbia University. “Research continues to show thesignificance of Lp(a) as an independent, genetic risk factorfor cardiovascular disease.” The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation’s mission is to empowerpatients to pre- vent cardiovascular events and support lines miss 8 percent of people who have research into a specific treatment for a cardiovascular event whose only risk elevated lipoprotein(a). “We are advofactoris high Lp(a). Knowing Lp(a)lev- els could bethefirst step in preventing up to 120,000 cardiovascular events in the U.S. every year. Saving Lives In Three Easy Steps 1.Recognition: Test everyone for high lipoprotein(a) once in their lifetime. 2.Prevention: If you have high cating that Lp(a) testing be added to the standard cholesteroltest to increase therate of early diagnosis and provide a more accurate prediction of risk? said Sandra Revill Tremulis, founder of Lipoprotein(a) Foundation. Learn More For further facts, visit TESTLpa.org. www.

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