SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation commends health and fitness expert Bob Harper for sharing the genetic condition that led to his recent heart attack on The Dr Oz Show – high levels of Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a).
When doctors discuss heart health, they are not concerned about cholesterol itself, but rather the lipoprotein packages that carry cholesterol through the bloodstream. While most people are familiar with LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein), packages in the blood that carry what is often referred to as “bad” and “good” cholesterol, Lp(a) carries bad cholesterol and other bad lipids into your artery walls. High levels of Lp(a) travel through the bloodstream and enter into the arteries, leading to gradual narrowing of the artery that can limit blood supply to the heart or brain and can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke and aortic stenosis. High levels of Lp(a) also increase your risk of a blood clot.
Lp(a) is currently the strongest genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis. Unfortunately, for some people like Bob Harper, the first sign of disease is a heart attack or stroke. One in 5 people globally have inherited high Lp(a) – 63 million in the U.S. Lp(a) concentrations can be measured by a simple blood test, but it is not included in most standard lipid panel tests that check cholesterol levels. The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation recently issued an Infographic to raise awareness that a simple blood test could be the first step in preventing up to 120,000 cardiovascular events every year. For more information about patients with high Lp(a) and heart disease, visit www.TESTLpa.org.
“We want to thank Bob Harper for sharing his story and reinforcing the fact that fit, healthy people can inherit factors like Lp(a) that cause early heart disease. We commend his efforts to educate people about the need for CPR education and to push for mandatory AEDs in every gym,” said Sandra Revill Tremulis, founder of Lipoprotein(a) Foundation. “There is a growing body of research that links high Lp(a) to heart attacks and strokes. The mission of the Lipoprotein(a) Foundation is to empower patients and prevent cardiovascular events due to high Lp(a) through proper testing and diagnosis and we hope that Bob Harper’s story will help raise awareness about genetic causes of heart disease.”
About The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation
Because approximately 63 million Americans have high Lp(a) and are at risk of premature cardiovascular disease, the vision for the foundation is: To live in a world where high Lp(a) is routinely diagnosed, treated and family screened. The mission is to prevent cardiovascular events due to high Lp(a) by diagnosing this inherited risk for cardiovascular disease; educating and empowering patients and saving lives. Our goal is to save lives by increasing awareness, advocating for routine testing, and supporting research that will lead to a specific treatment for high Lp(a). Based in San Carlos, California, the Lipoprotein(a) Foundation is a patient-founded, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. To learn more about high Lp(a) visit: www.TESTLpa.org.
Citations available upon request.