1. < Heart & Blood Health

High Lipoprotein (a)

Posted by tauceti @tauceti, Jan 26, 2024

I've had a history of borderline cholesterol. Age about 50 and generally active life style with activities like brisk walking, Tennis (2-3 times week). Weekly steps are in the range of 50-65K. But because my father died of cardiac arrest at the age of 62 and history of borderline cholesterol, doctor and a specialist (not cardiologist) prescribed me Statins (5mg only). I was hesitant because of side effects but professionals instilled fear in me (rightly so probably) that I started the medication 3 months ago and my overall cholesterol, LDLs and triglycerides came down significantly. Doctor suggested to check my Lipoprotein (a), although I got it checked after taking statin for 2 months, it came quite high, almost 3 times of max reference limit. I am concerned with that. Couple of questions, if someone had similar case:
1. Is it possible that statin increased my Lipo (a) numbers?
2. I've been told that this is genetic and I can't anything about it and this means I am at a higher risk than someone within range, what should be my next steps? Is to get calcium score and then finally angiogram to see how much blocking I have at the moment? Its taking emotional toll on me that I may be sitting on a time bomb.
Thanks for help.

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friscogirl | @friscogirl | Jan 9 12:06am
In reply to @mcm69 "I had a heart attack April 25, 2023. My numbers were all within normal ranges and..." + (show)
@mcm69

I had a heart attack April 25, 2023. My numbers were all within normal ranges and my new cardiologist after everything was done said no one would consider putting me on meds.

I was at the gym doing a crossfit workout and had chest pain that I though was muscle strain. I stopped and went home. After two days of just feeling off, I went to a walk-in clinic, they sent me to the ER. All of my tests looked normal, but my blood work came back with elevated enzyme showing heart distress, they had drawn multiple times and it was on the decline. They admitted me and scheduled a CAC, I had 100% blocked LAD with home grown bypasses. They installed two stents.

I was later tested for lipid(a) and found to have a score around 170.

My cardiologist says there is nothing to do about that number and to focus on lowering my LDL to below 50, and salts and Saturated fats from my diet.

I don't get as many steps in as you do, probably only 25k - 32k. I'm active but haven always been. I would find a Cardiologist that is aware of the current studies being done about L(a) and get in to see them. But also keep working at being heathly and not over thinking.

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wow, that’s amazing. You made it through. That’s great. God was watching over you ! if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?

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mcm69 | @mcm69 | Jan 9 8:26am
In reply to @friscogirl "wow, that’s amazing. You made it through. That’s great. God was watching over you ! if..." + (show)
@friscogirl

wow, that’s amazing. You made it through. That’s great. God was watching over you ! if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?

Jump to this post

🙂 I'm 55

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tauceti | @tauceti | Jan 17 2:55pm

My suggestion for anyone who has high LP (a) and asymptomatic, to go through Heart CT Angio, which is non-intrusive test and does 2 things:
- Tells calcium deposit score (ideally 0)
- Looks deposits in heart arteries and pics of vales
Gives you a sense whats going on inside. Fortunately, mine came as 22 (not ideal but not bad) and condition of arteries looks ok with CT with some minor plaques. Me and my cardiologist now focus on prevention vs any kind of treatment.

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