Lipoprotein (a), a variant of “bad cholesterol,” may increase the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease, according to a new study.
- Lipoprotein (a), also abbreviated as Lp(a), is a lipoprotein that has the same density and size characteristics as LDL cholesterol.
- High Lp(a) levels are a risk factor for coronary heart disease for people over 60, according to a new study.
- For example, 26% of people who had a recurrent coronary event had Lp(a) levels above 300 mg/L.
There lipoprotein (To)also abbreviated Lp(To)is a variant of “bad cholesterol” or LDL present in the blood. Its concentration is largely determined by genetics and often independent of dietary habits. A new study, published in the journal Current Medical Research & Opinionconfirms that this protein is an interesting marker heart disease risk assessment.
Lp(To) high: higher risk of coronary heart disease
Australian researchers followed 607 participants with pre-existing heart disease for 16 years. Among the examinations carried out, their rate of Lp(To) has been assessed. The results demonstrated that people with recurrent coronary heart disease had levels of Lp(To) higher than the others.
26% of patients who had a recurrent coronary event had a level of this protein above 300 mg/L. It was only 19% in those who did not present this pathology.
18% of participants with coronary artery disease had a rate of Lp(To) greater than 500 mg/L (8% in those without pathology).
Lipoprotein (To) : anti-cholesterol treatments have an effect limit
The scientists also concluded that having a high rate of Lp(To) could reduce the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs against the risk of recurrent coronary artery disease such as a heart attack. “This discovery adds to growing evidence of a relationship between the increase in Lp (To) and risk of coronary artery disease recurrence.says lead author, Associate Professor Leon simons from the medical school of the University of New South wales in Sydney in a communicated.
“It is well established that people who have had coronary artery disease in the past are at very high risk of another event. Our new results indicate that new therapies in development that aim to reduce Lp(To) high may help prevent disease recurrence. However, the potential clinical benefit of therapy in reducing Lp(To) high remains to be confirmed”adds the researcher.
A rate Lp(To) high is a risk factor for people over 60 years
According to the scientific team, their results show that a high rate of Lp(To) is a risk factor for patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease over the age of 60.
“We conclude that a Lp(To) high is an important predictor of coronary artery disease recurrence in the elderly. Reference levels of Lp(To) greater than 500 mg/L or 300 mg/L both appear appropriate for identifying at-risk individuals who may benefit from more intensive risk reduction interventions.”says the professor simons.
“While current drugs, such as statins, are often prescribed to reduce “bad cholesterol” in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, they do not have a major or proven impact on the elevation of Lp(To). But there is hope for the future, as some new therapies designed to lower levels of Lp(To) are currently in advanced stages of clinical development.concludes the expert.
