Can anyone explain the importance of lipoprotein(a)?

[FarmerJ]

My cholesterol level is 5.9 - LDL 3.89, but my lipoprotein(a) is 93.1. I am reluctant to take statins but my consultant thinks I should br treated aggressively. I am female (60) 5'8" 12st.

[Seahorse]

I don't understand the biochemistry behind Lp(a) but studies suggest a high Lp(a) is a higher risk factor for heart disease than cholesterol. My level is 25.2 which my consultant advised is the upper range of ok and anything over 50 is a concern. Statins will not lower your LP(a) levels but I believe niacin will. I'm not an expert though so best to ask your doctor although even their opinion will vary.

[FarmerJ in reply to Seahorse]

Thank you Seahorse. You have given me another direction to explore other than statins. Looks like I'd better head back to the doctor's. If I can't reduce the Lp(a), I'd better make the most of this Chistmas.

[patch14]

Do some on line research before you go to the Dr. Lipoproteins have been written about quite recently by some eminent Drs from all over the world and their papers are available on line to read on various websites. Take some notes and then you can question the Dr with some sort of knowledge behind you. All the best

[FarmerJ]

Thank you Patch 14. Some people say that aspirin and niacin can help to reduce LP(a) which I would be more inclined to try. Others say that LP(a) cannot be reduced and so keeping the LDL as low as possible is the only way to keep stroke and heart attack at bay. My consultant belongs to the latter school of thought. I do NOT have high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes or liver and kidney problems. I don't smoke and only drink alcohol very occasionally. My diet is based on the Heart Foundation Low Cholersterol diet and I take regular exercise, but the worry about LP(a) is turning me into a hypochondriac. I will return to the Dr as you suggest. Thank you again.

[Braintree2012]

Please take this seriously, do your research and go to the doctors armed with as many questions as you need. Get the answers you need to make an educated decision about your health. My only risk factor was Lp(a)! Normal cholesterol, blood pressure, non-smoker, worked out my whole life, watched my diet because of loosing my Dad when he was 49!. I almost died of a heart attack at 39 years of age. Again, only risk factor which they didn't find until after my heart event was my Lp(a), I ran a marathon and taught aerobics before my heart event. Only symptoms were extreme fatigue and a mild tingling in middle of my chest that came on when I ran and went away when I slowed down. A little weight gain, swelling in my feet and a feeling of impending doom for some strange reason, probably because my body was in a depressed state. Google me Sandra Revill Tremulis and you can see my video stories. I have spent the last 10 years raising awareness for women's heart disease in the US and am about to start a Foundation especially for Lp(a) here is the states. I was told I have a malignant family history, there is no treatment for Lp(a) and it is too prohibitively expensive to find a treatment for it because different ethnic groups have different levels of normal Lp(a). So, I am going to raise money to try to find a treatment. 1 Billion people in the world have it and are a ticking time-bomb and don't know it. They don't test for it in the US because there is no treatment for it that has proven to work! I keep my LDL as low as possible, take Niacin, fish oil and aspirin and work-out at least five times a week, have changed my career to lower my stress and try to stick to a fish and veggie and fruit based diet emphasizing natural foods and not processed. Good luck! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Flax seed also helps lower cholesterol naturally, beets help lower blood pressure and water melon is great for you too. Fiber helps with oats etc.

[Braintree2012 in reply to Braintree2012]

Here is the link to the foundation for Lp (a) facebook.com/LipoproteinaFo.... Web site is coming later too...

[FarmerJ]

Thank you Braintree2012. Your reply was thorough, thought-provoking and extremely useful. I have now been prescribed 10mg Atorvastatin daily and a Vit D supplement. I'm happily chewing the Vit D tablet, but still plucking up courage to swallow the statin. I have taken all your advice concerning diet and life-style and I'm very aware of any changes in my body. Thank you again ... and let me wish you a very Happy 2013.

[Braintree2012]

Yes, I have seen his work and am in touch with him to find out more. I don't know what research he has that is statistically significant which might be hard to get mainstream docs to use it. I do watch my carbs. I will check out your information on statins for women. I hope the foundation can get some answers for patients that need all this information to make more educated decisions about their healthcare and have it all in one place for them. Thanks for your comments...facebook.com/LipoproteinaFo...