High lpa

[Gail1967]

Post bypass x 4 found out my LPa was prob the cause - had zero other risk factors. Anyone out there been told their LPa is high? Trying to work out in uk measurement what is “high”.

[MountainGoat52]

Presumably you have had blood tests to ascertain that LP(a) was a contributory factor in respect of you needing bypass surgery. If that is the case, the Pathologist (or whichever professional ordered the blood tests) should be able to advise you on the severity, but in general 75nmol/L is considered to be the top of the normal range. I checked my notes and when I was tested last year my LP(a) was 11 nmol/L which apears to be very low. My problem was a high Homocysteine level which is now under control by a daily dose of Vitamin B.

[Gail1967 in reply to MountainGoat52]

I have a copy of a letter sent to my gp saying my LPa is high at 469 but it doesn’t state a measurement. My gp wrote to the cardiology team as gp‘s don’t seem to even understand what LPa is- one gp said- “so you have high cholesterol” then when I tried to explain there was a blank expression . No reply from cardiology team to gp so I have been trying to learn things for myself before I have my next annual check with them.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Gail1967]

As I understand it, most people have LP(a) levels in the range of under 5 to 29 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL), which roughly equals under 13 to around 73 nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). I have not seen any other scale when i have read articles on the subject. Most sources quote nmol/L and that is the term of measurement used by the Pathologist when I met with her. If your level is 469 nmol/L, then this could be the primary reason for you needing the bypass.

Unfortunately GPs are just that GENERAL practitioners. Mine doesn't understand what Homocysteine is, so I would not be surprised your GP does not understand LP(a). I would certainly refer your concerns back to your cardiology team. Have you been offered any specific treatment or are they just dealing with it by reducing your LDL cholesterol?

[Gail1967 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thanks for your responses- I am on various meds post bypass including statin to manage my ldl- although it’s 1.2 so not high. If it goes above 1.4 they have said about having another med. I suppose my concern is even with low ldl & no other risk factors I ended up having bypass at age 51 so how will I know if it’s all building up again!!!

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Gail1967]

Like my Homocysteine, LP(a) is down to genetics so it is not your fault that you have needed surgery at so young an age. Keep that in mind.... the Pathologist told me I was one of the unfortunates!

LP(a) is difficult to manage directly, so the you are prescribed medcation to keep the LDL as low down as possible which helps control the LP(a). There are some injection drugs in existence and I believe some others undergoing trails, but they are a last resort if cholesterol control doesn't work. For this reason you need regular cholesterol tests and to my mind they should also be keeping an eye on your LP(a) as well, though I did read that it does not vary significantly over a lifetime. No doubt you will need to do battle to get the tests.... indeed I have crossed swords over Homocysteine myself!

All the best with this.... and above all, stay positive. A positive mind is worth 1000 drugs. 😀

[Gail1967 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you- am now off to read about your condition as that’s one I’ve not heard about!! I’m generally positive so all good - but you are right

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Although my Lp(a) has never been measured I am watching this thread with interest. My father died of a heart attack nearly 40 years ago. A postmortem determined his coronary arteries were severely blocked. His brother died the same way a few years later. There had been various rumours about their father (who died decades before I was born) but about 20 years ago I found out he had been drinking a glass of water when he clutched his chest and dropped down dead. My conclusion was that I had a hereditary risk!

When I spoke with the GP he tried to reassure me my numbers (cholesterol and BP) were fine. I was unconvinced and after some research returned and asked for an Lp(a) test. This was refused as it was a researchy blood test for hospitals. Moving forward I got angina at the start of 2017 and had a quadruple two years ago. I will have to ask again!

[Gail1967 in reply to MichaelJH]

Sounds a real possibility - I’ve learnt so much about it in last few weeks- including from being on a medical conference call in the US!!!

[MountainGoat52 in reply to MichaelJH]

It will be interesting to see whether you can get a test. It may be an uphill struggle with your GP as they can't seem to see any further than cholesterol. I'm am still trying to get my Homocysteine level retested to check whether the Vitamin B that I am taking is working.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to MountainGoat52]

It will be interesting as my GP retired in the interim. I have never seen his replacement but some of the younger generation are petty bright!