El is a fat-like substance found in the composition of all cells in our body. And despite its bad reputation, it is essential to generate our cellular structure.
This component, like other types of fat, is not diluted in water or blood, so it has to be transported through the bloodstream packaged in lipoproteins.
There are two types of lipoproteins:
- The high densityalso known as HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol.
- low intensity lipoproteins, which are known as LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol. Among the latter, lipoprotein (a) stands out.
How do you explain the Dr. Maria Rosa Fernandez Olmoco-coordinator of Working Group on Dyslipidemia and Residual Risk of the Spanish Heart Society (SEC),
“Lipoprotein(a) is a type of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol with an additional protein that appears to increase the risk of blood clots. And like LDL cholesterol, it can increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke early”.
Neither diet nor physical exercise reduce lipoprotein (a)
The problem with this particular substance is that it is resistant to any of the usual cholesterol treatment formulas.
The cardiology specialist explains that lipoprotein (a) does not respond to typical LDL cholesterol-lowering strategies, such as diet, physical exercise or lipid-lowering medication.
“The lipoprotein(a) It is a genetic condition that runs in some families. Its amount in the blood is determined genetically and remains constant throughout the life of the individual. It is known that 1 in 5 people worldwide inherit elevated lipoprotein(a).”
When is it elevated?
Lipoprotein (a) is elevated when its blood levels are above 50mg/dl.
And when this situation is reached, we can say that the patient is at cardiovascular risk.
As we have seen, neither diet nor exercise affect lipoprotein (a) levels. And treatment options to reduce it are limited, although some clinical trials are underway.
For this reason, clinical practice guidelinesrecommend using drugs to lower LDL cholesterol levels in all those people with elevated lipoprotein (a).
How to reduce the risk?
Until ongoing research bears fruit, options for avoiding cardiovascular disease among patients with high lipoprotein(a) levels are very limited.
As detailed by the Dr. Alberto Cordero Fortalso coordinator of the Working Group on Dyslipidemia and Residual Risk of the SEC:
“As we have no options to act directly on it the goal is to control the rest of the cardiovascular risk factors and keep them at bay.”
And what are these factors?
Well, in addition to lowering ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, the following is more necessary:
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Follow a balanced diet.
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Do physical exercise of moderate intensity on a regular basis.
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Avoid obesity and overweight.
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No Smoking.
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Control blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
The importance of measuring lipoprotein (a)
The specialists from the SEC’s Dyslipidemia and Residual Risk Working Group add one more worrying issue.
They explain that lipoprotein (a) not routinely measured in laboratory tests and yet it is important to do so.
Because a person can have normal total cholesterol levels and still have high lipoprotein (a).
In addition, in the event that a person has elevated lipoprotein (a) they should notify their relatives (siblings, parents, children) so that they can have an analysis and find out their situation.