Lipoprotein(a) in high levels increases risk of heart disease in women

Lipoprotein(a) in high levels increases risk of heart disease in women

High levels of a blood protein called lipoprotein(a) are linked to increased risk of heart disease, according to a new study in the Sept. 20 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. Previous studies have also linked LDL or "bad" cholesterol to increased heart risk, but this is the first time a specific lipoprotein has been identified.

The researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston analyzed the blood samples collected a decade ago at the beginning of the Women's Health Study, which involved 28,000 middle-aged women. Researchers found that when lipoprotein(a) levels were very high, the risk of heart disease was nearly doubled.

In the study one in ten women had levels higher than of 65.5 mg/dL or greater. These women had a 66 percent increased risk of heart disease. During the 10 years follow-up, 899 women suffered a nonfatal heart attack or a stroke or died from heart disease. Researchers said that lipoprotein(a) plays a significant role in heart disease.

"Determination of lipoprotein(a) levels should … be reserved for high-risk subsets of the population, such as individuals with premature [heart attacks] who have otherwise normal risk profiles or are at particularly high risk because of circumstances such as [inherited high cholesterol]," said lead researcher Dr. Jacqueline Suk Danik.

Researchers suggest that individuals with high levels of LDL and lipoprotein(a) must receive aggressive treatment with a statin or with niacin.