Heart HealthLipoprotein(a) Emerges as a Major Untreated Cardiovascular Risk Factor
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a genetically determined lipoprotein long overshadowed by LDL cholesterol in cardiovascular risk assessment. This update in the European Heart Journal argues that Lp(a) deserves far greater clinical attention as a major contributor to residual lipid risk — meaning the cardiovascular danger that persists even after LDL is well-controlled with statins or other therapies. Elevated Lp(a) affects roughly one in five people worldwide and is strongly linked to atherosclerosis, heart attack, and aortic valve disease. Until recently, no approved therapies could specifically lower Lp(a). That landscape is now changing, with emerging RNA-based therapies showing dramatic reductions in Lp(a) levels in clinical trials. This review synthesizes the latest evidence on Lp(a) biology, risk quantification, and the therapeutic pipeline, making it highly relevant for both clinicians and health-conscious individuals seeking to understand their full cardiovascular risk picture.
