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Safe Access to GLP-1s

Understanding Lp(a)

and Your Risk for Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.1 High Lp(a) is mostly inherited and can increase your risk for heart disease.2 Knowing your risk factors can help you stay healthy for yourself, your family, and your job.3

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease (CVD), is a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.4 It often happens when plaque forms inside the arteries. Over time, this plaque can narrow or block blood flow. This can lead to serious problems like a heart attack or stroke.4

Learn which heart health risks you can manage and what to ask your doctor about next.

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No symptoms doesn’t always mean no risk. Learn how to better understand your heart health.

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What Is Lp(a)?

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of cholesterol-carrying particle in your blood.5,6 Unlike other cholesterol levels, your Lp(a) level is mostly determined by genetics. That means you inherit it from your family.7 Having high Lp(a) does not mean you will develop heart disease. But it can increase your overall risk.8

Did you know?
About 1 in 5 people have high Lp(a).5 Having high Lp(a) levels is mostly inherited and can increase your risk of an early heart attack or stroke.2,9,10 Most standard cholesterol tests do not include Lp(a) but can be added to your standard blood work.9,11

Heart disease risk can be silent
Learn why high Lp(a) can be hidden – and when to ask your doctor about testing.

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How Do Genetics Risk Factors Impact Heart Health?

A genetic risk factor is something in your genes that you inherit from your parents. It can raise your chance of getting a disease. For heart disease, this can include having a family history of heart disease, your ethnicity, and whether you are biologically male or female.12

Did you know?

  • Genetics account for 20-30% of your risk for heart disease13
  • In the United States, 14% of families account for 72% of all premature heart disease events14
  • Children of parents with early heart disease have a 60-75% higher risk of developing heart disease15

High Lp(a) Levels Are Not the End of the Story

High Lp(a) and many other genetic risk factors may not be reduced through lifestyle changes.2,3

The good news? Many other risk factors for heart disease can be managed.

Some risks are linked to daily habits. Others are health conditions that can be treated or controlled.3

Modifiable lifestyle factors3

Poor diet

Low physical activity

Alcohol use

Smoking

Modifiable health conditions3

High blood
pressure

High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol

Diabetes

Obesity

Did you know?

Even if you have low Lp(a) levels, heart health still matters. 99% of Americans with heart disease had at least one risk factor before experiencing a heart attack or stroke.17

High blood pressure can
be silent. Learn what
your numbers mean.

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High Lp(a) is one risk factor.  Learn how you and your doctor can manage your overall risk.

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A Simple Next Step

You can ask:

  • What is my overall heart risk?
  • Are my blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range?
  • Should I be tested for Lp(a)?

You may want to ask your doctor about Lp(a) testing if you:

  • Have a personal history of early heart disease
  • Have a family history of heart disease at a young age
  • Have high cholesterol that is hard to control
  • Have a family member with elevated Lp(a)

How Does Heart Health Connect to Weight and Sleep?

Your heart health is connected to other parts of your health.

Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea have both been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.17,18

Learn more about obesity
Learn more about obstructive sleep apnea

Looking For More Information?

American Heart Association

Visit Site

Family Heart
Foundation

Visit Site

National Lipid
Foundation

Visit Site

References: 1. Joynt Maddox KE, et al. Circulation. 2024;150(4):e65-e88. 2. Kronenberg F, et al. Eur Heart J. 2022;43(39):3925-3946. 3. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/risk-factors/index.html (Accessed April 8, 2026). 4. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease (Accessed April 8, 2026). 5. Tsimikas S & Marcovina SM. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;80(9):934-946. 6. Fujii E, et al. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2025 Apr 1;32(4):421-438. 7. https://heartlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/pamphlet-lipoprotein_EN.pdf (Accessed May 27, 2026). 8. https://www.heart.org/en/-/media/Files/Health-Topics/Cholesterol/What-is-Lpa.pdf?sc_lang=en (Accessed May 27, 2026). 9. Reyes-Soffer G, et al. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2022;42:e48-e60. 10. Nordestgaard BG, et al. Eur Heart J. 2010;31:2844-2853. 11. https://www.heart.org/en/-/media/Files/Health-Topics/Cholesterol/Lpa-Fact-Check-Game.pdf?sc_lang=en (Accessed May 27, 2026). 12. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease/risk-factors (Accessed April 8, 2026). 13. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-heart/is-heart-disease-genetic/ (Accessed April 8, 2026). 14. Williams RR, et al. Am J Cardiol. 2001;87(2):129-135. 15. Kolber MR, et al. Can Fam Physician. 2014;60(11):1016. 16. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/nearly-everyone-has-at-least-one-risk-factor-before-a-heart-attack-heart-failure-or-stroke (Accessed April 8, 2026). 17. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease-stroke (Accessed April 8, 2026). 18. Powell-Wiley TF, et al. Circulation. 2021;143(21):e984-e1010.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

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