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Lp(a) Lipoprotein (a)
AT A GLANCE Also known as
At a glance
Lipoprotein little a
What is being tested?
Why get tested?
The test
To give your doctor additional information about your risk of having a heart attack (coronary artery disease [CAD]) or
Common questions
stroke (cerebrovascular disease [CVD]) due to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Related information
When to get tested? When you have a family history of high Lp(a) levels and/or there is a tendency for people in your family to have heart attacks at a relatively young age; when you have heart disease but your lipid profile is not very abnormal.
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test preparation needed? No test preparation is needed; however, since this test may be performed at the same time as a complete lipid profile, fasting for at least 12 hours may be required.
WHAT IS BEING TESTED? Lp(a) is a type of so-called `bad’ lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are tiny particles that carry cholesterol in the bloodstream. High levels of `bad’ lipoproteins may lead to hardening of the arteries, and eventually, to heart attack, strokes and other vascular diseases. A tendency to high Lp(a) levels runs in families. That is, a person’s Lp(a) level is due more to their genes than to factors like diet. People with severe kidney failure may also have high levels of Lp(a).
How is the sample collected for testing? A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample? No test preparation is needed; however, since this test may be performed at the same time as a complete lipid profile, fasting for at least 12 hours may be required.
THE TEST How is it used? When is it requested? What does the test result mean? Is there anything else I should know?
COMMON QUESTIONS How often should Lp(a) be measured? Is Lp(a) the same as Apo(A)?
RELATED INFORMATION Related lab tests Lipid profile, Apo A, Apo B, homocysteine, hs-CRP
More on this site Conditions: Heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris