Lipoprotein

[ROBBO36]

Hi folks,

I’d posted a few weeks back that on the exact years anniversary of my heart attack I had a TIA (mini stroke) and that knocked me for six as I was just getting back to a bit normality.

Neurologist saying I’m now getting tested for Lipoprotein (which is passed genetically) and if I do have this it won’t have any impact on my ongoing health management, but will have implications for my family.

Just wondered if anyone has this and what the ramifications for the family was? Hate to think I’ll have passed something onto my kids.

Thanks.

[EU95PTM]

Hi there, I learnt recently that I have significantly raised levels of Lipoprotein (a). This is an independent risk factor for cardiac events such as strokes and heart attacks. I had a heart attack at 51 without any of the other risk factors (smoking, diet etc). The test is a specialist test done via a lipid clinic or laboratory and it is not the same as a standard lipid profile.

In its simplest terms, it makes the “bad” LDL in your blood more sticky and leads to earlier narrowing of the arteries with atherosclerosis. Any result above 30 mg/dl is considered elevated, mine was 308 mg/dl. This is probably why I had a heart attack at such a young age. The level is genetically determined and cannot be lowered by diet and exercise. There is currently no treatment to directly target this. I have been recommended to have all my first degree relatives tested, so my siblings and children. It is proving difficult to get them tested as GP’s know very little, if anything about it so persistence is required. It is especially important that your family are tested if you are relatively young yourself and there are others in your family who have also had cardiac events at a young age (under 55 for men and under 65 for women).

More information can be found on Heart.UK and also the Family Heart Foundation website.

[ROBBO36 in reply to EU95PTM]

Thanks very much for your reply, that’s a great help and gives me a bit more of an insight. I’ll just have to wait and see what comes back and take it from there.

My journey sounds similar (ish) to yourself. Heart attack at 46 out the blue. I’m not overweight, don’t smoke, diet was okay etc and used to do okay on the exercise front. On all the normal preventative meds for the last 12 months and again doing the right things in life. Then boom, a mini stroke from nowhere.

[pasigal]

Yes, my brother and I have high lp(a) levels, with CAD, mine much more severe. My son was tested last year at age 16 and he doesn't have a high level ; we'll check our daughter next.My brother has been on statins since his late 30s and that's probably why he has relatively minor artery blockage, and quite stable plaque. Otoh, I have had 2 heart attacks, despite good diet and exercise. I'm on statins now, of course...

[ROBBO36 in reply to pasigal]

Thank you, that’s very helpful. I’ll just have to see how things go with the tests and see what they say. Wishing you all the best with your own journey.

[Gail1967]

nothing more really to add to the existing replies as they have covered the facts. I discovered mine at 469 mg/dl after nstemi than a quad Heart bypass despite not having or doing any of the normal risky things like smoking etc. I think being on medication - statin & ezetimibe for cholesterol in my case may help until a proper med comes along for LPa- fingers x’d!!!

[ROBBO36 in reply to Gail1967]

Thanks for this. I’m learning lots about how the body works over the last 12 months!! Something potentially genetic another thing to throw into the pot. Wishing you all the best with your own health.