17/12/2025
There is one blood value that everyone should have checked at least once in their life. It is called lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), and it plays a key role in your heart health. What makes this number special is that it is mostly determined by your genes and remains stable throughout your life. Unlike cholesterol or blood pressure, lifestyle changes have little effect on it, so knowing your level once is enough to understand your personal risk.
High levels of Lp(a) can increase the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, even in people who seem healthy and have normal cholesterol levels. Because it does not usually show symptoms, many people never know they have elevated Lp(a) unless they get tested.
Doctors recommend a one-time blood test to measure Lp(a), especially if you have a family history of heart disease. If your level is high, it does not mean something bad will definitely happen, but it signals that you should take extra care with diet, exercise, and other controllable risk factors. A simple test today could reveal valuable information for the rest of your life.