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Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test

What is a lipoprotein (a) blood test?

A lipoprotein (a) test measures the level of lipoprotein (a) in your blood. Lipoproteins are substances made of protein and fat that carry cholesterol through your bloodstream. There are two main types of cholesterol:

  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol.

Lipoprotein (a) is a type of LDL (bad) cholesterol. A high level of lipoprotein (a) may mean you are at risk for heart disease.

Other names: cholesterol Lp(a), Lp(a)

What is it used for?

A lipoprotein (a) test is used to check for risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart diseases. It is not a routine test. It is usually only given to people who have certain risk factors, such as a family history of heart disease.

Why do I need a lipoprotein (a) test?

You may need this test if you have:

  • Heart disease, despite normal results on other lipid tests
  • High cholesterol, despite maintaining a healthy diet
  • A family history of heart disease, especially heart disease that has occurred at an early age and/or sudden deaths from heart disease

What happens during a lipoprotein (a) test?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don’t need any special preparations for a lipoprotein (a) test. If your health care provider has ordered other tests, such as a cholesterol test, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for 9 to 12 hours before your blood is drawn. Your health care provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.

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Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk of having a blood test. You may experience slight pain or bruise at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

A high lipoprotein (a) level may mean you are at risk for heart disease. There are no specific treatments to lower lipoprotein (a). Your level of lipoprotein (a) is determined by your genes and is not affected by your lifestyle or by most medicines. But if your test results show a high level of lipoprotein (a), your health care provider may make recommendations to reduce other risk factors that can lead to heart disease. These may include medicines or lifestyle changes such as:

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Weight Control
  • Quitting smoking
  • Getting regular exercise
  • Reducing stress
  • Lowering blood pressure
  • Reducing LDL cholesterol

Is there anything else I need to know about a lipoprotein (a) test?

Certain situations and factors can affect your test results. You should not get a lipoprotein (a) test if you have any of these conditions:

  • Fever
  • Infection
  • Recent and considerable weight loss
  • Pregnancy

References

  1. Banach M. Lipoprotein (a)-We Know So Much Yet Still Have Much to Learn. J Am Heart Assoc. [Internet]. 2016 Apr 23 [cited 2017 Oct 18]; 5(4):e003597. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4859302
  2. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2017. Lp(a): Common Questions [updated 2014 Jul 21; cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/lp-a/tab/faq
  3. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2017. Lp(a): The Test [updated 2014 Jul 21; cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/lp-a/tab/test
  4. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2017. Lp(a): The Test Sample [updated 2014 Jul 21; cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/lp-a/tab/sample
  5. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998-2017. Blood Tests for Heart Disease: Lipoprotein (a); 2016 Dec 7 [cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357?pg=2
  6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What Are the Risks of Blood Tests? [updated 2012 Jan 6; cited Oct 18]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests#Risk-Factors
  7. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What is Cholesterol? [cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-cholesterol
  8. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What To Expect with Blood Tests [updated 2012 Jan 6; cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests
  9. UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. University of Florida; c2017. Lipoprotein-a: Overview [updated 2017 Oct 18; cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://ufhealth.org/lipoprotein
  10. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2017. Health Encyclopedia: Lipoprotein(a) Cholesterol [cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid;=lpa_cholesterol
  11. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2017. Health Information: Health Facts for You: My Child’s Lipoprotein (a) Level [updated 2017 Feb 28; cited 2017 Oct 18]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/parenting/7617.html
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