Lipoprotein (a)

Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is a type of LDL cholesterol. Genes affect Lp(a) level. Lifestyle does not.

High levels of Lp(a) may show a higher risk of heart disease. But it's not clear how much risk. Your health care professional might order an Lp(a) test if you have atherosclerosis or heart disease but seem to have healthy cholesterol levels. Or you might have the test if you have a family history of early-onset heart disease, sudden death or stroke.

Drugs are being made to lower Lp(a). But it isn't yet clear what lowering Lp(a) will do for heart disease risk.