Meet Lp(a): The Heart Risk Factor You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

When it comes to heart health, most of us think about cholesterol, blood pressure, and whether we exercise enough. But there’s a lesser-known player quietly raising the risk of cardiovascular disease risk: Lipoprotein(a) — or Lp(a) for short. Your Lp(a) levels are mostly determined by your genetics meaning diet, exercise, or even most cholesterol-lowering medications won’t affect it.

What is Lp(a) and why does it matter?

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death globally. High Lp(a) levels increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, even if your cholesterol levels look fine. In fact, Lp(a) is estimated to be 5-6 times more atherogenic (likely to promote fatty deposits in the arteries) than LDL Cholesterol also referred to as ‘Bad Cholesterol’.

The problem? Most people have no idea what their Lp(a) levels are because it isn’t always part of routine heart check-ups despite various international guidelines now recommending at least one lifetime measurement of Lp(a).

Here’s the good news: a simple test at Randox Health can reveal your Lp(a) level, giving you insights into a hidden risk factor you might otherwise miss. And with new therapies in development, high Lp(a) might soon be something we can manage.

How Common is High Lp(a)?

Global modelling studies suggest more than 1.8 billion people have high Lp(a) levels. We looked at anonymous results from people who visited Randox Health Clinics in the UK for routine health checks. Out of 26,619 people tested for Lp(a):

• About 1 in 6 people (17.6%) had high Lp(a) levels according to EAS guidelines, putting them at increased risk of heart disease.
• Another 5% were in the “grey area”.
• The remaining 74% had levels considered low risk

Read the full study in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1710557/full

When Should you get Tested for Lp(a)?

Because high Lp(a) is fairly common, it’s important for people who are at risk to know about it. Even if Lp(a) is high, other factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can still be managed to reduce overall heart risk.

• If you have a family history of heart disease or unexplained cardiac events, consider Lp(a) testing- available as part of one of our full body health checks.
• Stay informed about emerging treatments — science is catching up to this “silent risk factor.”
• Share this info — many people don’t even know Lp(a) exists, let alone that it can quietly affect their heart health.

Take control of your heart health today

Lp(a) is just one piece of the bigger picture when it comes to cardiovascular risk. Our Everyman and Everywoman comprehensive health checks assess key markers including cholesterol, inflammation, blood sugar and more — giving you a complete view of your heart health in one simple test.

Discover the Everyman | Everywoman tests at Randox Health and book your comprehensive health check today. 

Randox Health