High Lipoprotein (a)

I have been aware of my high Lp(a) numbers for almost 20 years. I was not able to tolerate statins so I can't blame them for increasing my calcium score which increased from 535 to 2129 in that period. I am careful of my diet and have been on Praluent and now, Repatha injectable cholesterol control meds. Repatha brought my overall cholesterol to 149.

Bottom line is that I got two cardio stents in 2022 and last week got a third stent.

In both cases, I was experiencing left arm pain. Last week I also developed chest pain while doing my cardio at the gym. I stopped immediately, went home, called my cardio, was scheduled for a cardio-catheterization which resulted in the third stent. That artery was 99% blocked so I am fortunate that I received the stent before I had a heart attack.

Sadly, because Lp(a) is genetic, there is very little one can do to reduce the possibility of it building up in our arteries. A CT scan of the heart can provide info about the degree of blockage in each artery but a CT also provides a lot of radiation so you want to have them rarely.

My suggestion is to find a great cardiologist in your area and be regularly monitored. Be aware of the symptoms you might experience as blockages approach danger points. I kind of discounted various signs of my blockages attributing each sign to something else: neck pain on the left side, back pain between the shoulder blades, left arm pain both above and below the elbow. In each instance, I should have called my cardiologist for assessment, not self diagnosed and dismissed.

I am female, age 81, exercise regularly, eat a clean diet and feel fortunate that maybe I have another 10 years with my stents carrying me through.

I totally understand your concerns but don't let it take over your life. Worry only about the stuff you can change and depend on your cardiologist to keep on top of this issue. Be aware of the signs of possible blockages and depend on your cardiologist to diagnose.

I wish you good luck and good health.

Donna

Agreed@19281928

Although my endocrinologist does, but she moved. I will see if her replacement is educated. No one else has a clue. The older doctors in my life are the most clueless.

Research is ongoing looking at treatments to lower Lp(a) levels and results may be out as early as this year. If treatments work those of us with high Lp(a) levels (I’m around 250) may have new options. In the meantime we can only lower our LDL as much as possible (don’t hate statins unless you’ve tried them and find them unacceptable, most people tolerate them well). And stay as active as you can!

@19281928

My understanding is that statins "harden" soft plaque so that a CAC score will go up. It raises LP(a) but not significantly. But I'm no doctor so I may misunderstand.

@bitsygirl mine went from 103 to 125 in one month with a statin.

@dianempx honestly, I don't think doctors know much about this condition and have found that most know nothing and or not interested at all.

@19281928 SO true! My high cholesterol comes from my mother's side who was 1 of 13 children with a total of 42 offspring (my cousins), none of whom have or died from heart disease. It just doesn't make sense. My MD sent me to a cardiologist because of my high Lp(a) and he contradicted (but caught) himself to try to get me on Repatha but I am not biting because I agree, they just don't know enough yet. Repatha is supposed to only take Lp(a) down 20%, but statins raise it by 20% so isn't that a wash? MUCH more info is needed.

@bitsygirl I think you're correct on that