A large international study confirms that even small increases in lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), are linked to higher risks of heart disease and stroke. The research, one of the biggest investigations of its kind, suggests clinicians should rethink how cardiovascular risk is assessed, particularly in Thailand where heart disease remains the leading cause of death.
Lp(a) is a blood particle similar to LDL cholesterol but with an extra protein that makes it sticky and more likely to promote clots and plaque. Unlike traditional cholesterol, Lp(a) levels are largely genetic and resistant to lifestyle changes or common cholesterol-lowering medicines. The study’s scale—encompassing hundreds of thousands of participants—highlights that even modest Lp(a) elevations deserve clinical attention. Research from Medical Xpress synthesizes these international findings for a broad audience.
In the study, researchers tracked Lp(a) levels across diverse populations and followed them to see who experienced heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular events. The evidence showed that people with any detectable rise in Lp(a) faced higher odds of cardiovascular disease compared with those at the lowest levels. Risk increased progressively with higher Lp(a) concentrations, indicating that current “normal” cut-offs may underestimate danger.
This has particular resonance for Thailand. Cardiovascular disease accounts for about one-fifth of Thailand’s deaths each year, with rising trends linked to hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and urban living. Thai hospitals routinely screen for LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, yet Lp(a) testing is not commonly included in standard health checks. Thai cardiology experts say these findings should prompt a rethinking of local risk screening. A senior cardiologist from a leading Bangkok hospital noted that Lp(a) assessment should be expanded, especially for individuals with a family history of heart disease, even if cholesterol appears normal.
Globally, up to 20% of people carry genetically elevated Lp(a). While lifestyle measures—healthy eating, regular activity, and smoking cessation—remain essential, they have limited impact on Lp(a). Treatments to lower Lp(a) are currently scarce, though new drugs are advancing through late-stage trials, offering hope for high-risk patients identified through broader screening.
For Thai patients and families with premature cardiovascular disease—heart events occurring earlier than age 55 in men or 65 in women—experts advise discussing Lp(a) testing with healthcare providers. The Thai Society of Cardiology has not yet integrated Lp(a) checks into national guidelines, but international best practices increasingly support testing in high-risk groups.
Awareness is growing in urban Thailand and within the private healthcare sector. Thais should recognize that even with normal LDL or blood pressure, an Lp(a) risk could exist, reflecting a broader theme in Thai health: genetics matter alongside lifestyle.
Southeast Asian populations often show distinct lipid patterns, with lower average cholesterol yet higher stroke risk and certain hereditary heart conditions. In Thailand, family networks can facilitate early risk detection through genetic and lipid screening, potentially aiding long-term prevention.
Looking ahead, Thailand’s public health authorities may consider adding Lp(a) testing to national health screenings as new therapies become available. Public information campaigns—leveraging social media and community clinics—could help educate people about non-modifiable versus modifiable risk and empower informed heart-health decisions.
Practical steps for readers now: discuss your full lipid profile with your healthcare provider, especially if you have a family history of heart disease; support advances in genetic and lipid testing; stay engaged with cardiovascular research and local health updates; and maintain heart-healthy habits to reduce other risk factors even if Lp(a) is not easily lowered.
For further context, readers can refer to the original coverage in Medical Xpress and monitor updates from Thailand’s health authorities as new screening guidance emerges.