Simple and Cost-Effective Lp(a) Blood Test Could Revolutionize Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Routine screening for a specific lipoprotein called Lp(a) presents a promising and affordable strategy to significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which remains the leading cause of death worldwide. An international research team led by Monash University emphasizes the importance of incorporating Lp(a) testing into standard medical practice to identify high-risk individuals early.

Elevated levels of Lp(a) affect about 20% of the global population and are associated with increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, aortic stenosis, and premature cardiovascular events. Unfortunately, Lp(a) levels are not regularly measured in clinics, leaving many individuals unaware of their risk—a situation the researchers describe as a 'public health blind spot.'

A comprehensive study analyzed data from over 10,000 adults in the UK and found that routine Lp(a) testing would reclassify 20% of them as high risk, enabling earlier intervention with medications that control blood pressure and cholesterol. The study, published in Atherosclerosis, also employed an economic model based on population data, which suggested that such testing could prevent numerous cardiovascular events—60 heart attacks, 13 strokes, and 26 early deaths per 10,000 people—and result in significant health gains, including 169 years of life and 217 years of good health gained in Australia.

Financially, implementing Lp(a) testing could lead to societal savings, estimated at around $85 per person in Australia, by reducing healthcare costs and productivity losses. Given that nearly 10% of health expenditure was allocated to cardiovascular disease in Australia during 2020–21, these findings underscore the potential for substantial benefits.

Professor Zanfina Ademi, a health economist and leader in the study, advocates for making Lp(a) testing a routine part of cardiovascular risk assessment. She highlights that elevated Lp(a) is an inherited, lifelong, and independent risk factor for various cardiovascular conditions. Despite its significance, testing prevalence remains very low globally.

Dr. Jed Morton, the study's first author, stresses that early testing—potentially from a young age if family history exists—could intercept the disease before it progresses. He calls for urgent action, supporting recent declarations like The Brussels International Declaration, which promotes Lp(a) testing and management worldwide.

These insights advocate for a shift in clinical guidelines to include routine Lp(a) screening, ultimately improving preventive care and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease on individuals and health systems alike.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-combating-cardiovascular-disease-simple-effective.html