Medical expert of the article
New publications
Causes of elevated serum lipoprotein (a)
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Elevated serum lipoprotein (a) concentration is a risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease. According to literature, the average apo(a) content in the blood of patients with coronary heart disease is 12 mg/dl. In 2/3 of patients, the development of atherosclerosis depends on the presence of elevated lipoprotein (a) concentrations in the blood. A close correlation has been established between the serum lipoprotein (a) concentration and the development of coronary heart disease.
Epidemiological studies have shown that individuals with normal cholesterol levels but elevated lipoprotein (a) levels (above 30 mg/dL) have at least a 2-fold increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. The risk increases 8-fold if both LDL and lipoprotein (a) levels are elevated. Myocardial infarction occurs 4-fold more frequently in young individuals with apo(a) levels above 48 mg/dL. Apo(a) levels are also elevated in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis.
The concentration of lipoprotein (a) in the blood increases after surgery, in patients with cancer, diabetes mellitus, and the acute phase of rheumatism.
The similarity in the structure of apo(a) and acute phase proteins allows it to be considered as a specific acute phase protein in destructive atherosclerotic processes in the vascular wall.
[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]