Heart health month: What we know about lipoprotein (a)

You've heard of "good" and "bad" cholesterol. Now, scientists are learning more about lipoprotein (a), which can also dramatically impact heart attacks.

For decades, doctors have encouraged patients to monitor their cholesterol levels, with studies showing that heart disease risk increases with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as the “bad cholesterol,” and not enough high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as the “good cholesterol.”

Diet, exercise, and medications like statins can help people regulate their good and bad cholesterol levels.

But now, doctors are recognizing the importance of a third type of cholesterol -- lipoprotein (a).

Lipoprotein (a) has been increasingly recognized as a standalone predictor for cardiovascular disease due to its inflammatory properties that accelerate clot formation in the blood vessels.

Scientists are still learning more about lipoprotein (a). Testing is available but not universally recommended. For now, drugs to treat high levels are not available, but may soon be on the horizon.