A new international study has revealed compelling evidence that elevated levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), are significantly associated with an increased risk of heart disease and certain types of stroke across both East Asian and European populations. Published in the journal Circulation, the study helps clarify the global impact of Lp(a) on cardiovascular health and highlights the need for broader screening and intervention strategies.
Understanding Lipoprotein(a) and Its Risks
Lipoprotein(a) is a cholesterol-carrying particle in the blood, similar to LDL, but with an added protein called apolipoprotein(a). High levels of Lp(a) have long been recognised as a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease, particularly in European populations. However, its effect on diverse populations, especially those in East Asia with differing genetic backgrounds, has remained largely unexplored—until now.
Researchers from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) Collaborative Group, in collaboration with UK Biobank, conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis to explore how Lp(a) influences cardiovascular health outcomes across different ancestral groups.
Top Stories
-1751527287915.png)
-1751352905978.jpg)
A Deep Dive Into the Study
The study involved over 18,000 Chinese participants, whose Lp(a) plasma levels were analysed alongside their genetic data. Researchers identified 29 genetic variants independently linked to elevated Lp(a) levels, accounting for 33% of the variation in these levels in Chinese individuals. Notably, these variants only slightly overlapped with those found in European populations, underscoring the genetic diversity involved in Lp(a) expression.
Also Read: Indian-Origin Scientist Creates Breakthrough Probiotic Cocktail To Help Prevent Dementia
To broaden the analysis, these findings were replicated in subsets of the UK Biobank, which included both Chinese and European individuals. Using a method called Mendelian randomisation—a technique that uses genetic information to determine causal relationships between a biomarker and disease—the study assessed the effects of genetically predicted Lp(a) levels on myocardial infarction (heart attack), various types of ischemic stroke, and intracerebral haemorrhage.
Cardiovascular Risks Remain Similar Across Ancestries
One of the most striking revelations of the study is that elevated Lp(a) levels increased the risk of myocardial infarction and large-artery ischemic stroke similarly in both East Asians and Europeans. This suggests that Lp(a) is a universal risk factor for major cardiovascular events, regardless of ancestry.
Also Read: HIV Rates Climb Among Older Adults, But Prevention Still Targets The Young, Study Finds
However, the study also found that Lp(a) had little to no association with intracerebral haemorrhage or smaller subtypes of ischemic stroke, such as small-vessel and cardioembolic strokes. In fact, the risk for myocardial infarction due to high Lp(a) was shown to be three times greater than the risk for ischemic stroke overall.
Interestingly, although fewer East Asians have elevated Lp(a) compared to Europeans, those who do are just as likely to face increased heart-related risks, pointing to the global relevance of Lp(a) as a biomarker for cardiovascular screening.
Implications for Global Health
These findings carry significant implications for public health policy and clinical practice. For one, they support the idea of universal Lp(a) screening, especially in populations at risk for heart disease but traditionally considered at lower genetic risk. The study also suggests that future therapies aimed at lowering Lp(a) could have similar benefits across ethnic groups.
Lead author Dr. Robert Clark emphasised the importance of these findings: “Our study shows that the relationship between lipoprotein(a) and heart disease isn’t limited by geography or ancestry. It’s a global issue that needs global solutions.”
Bottomline
The researchers call for more inclusive and diverse studies to better understand Lp(a)'s impact on global health. Additionally, with new Lp(a)-lowering treatments currently in clinical trials, there is hope that targeted therapies could soon become available to reduce cardiovascular risks associated with this lesser-known but potent biomarker.
As cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide, identifying and mitigating hidden risks like elevated Lp(a) is an important step toward reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke for everyone.