Vitamin C Forum

Strongest evidence yet that Lp(a) causes heart disease
DECEMBER 23, 2009 | Lisa Nainggolan
Oxford, UK - New genetic research has identified two relatively rare single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that explain just over a third of the variance in lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) levels in individuals of European descent [1]. The work confirms unequivocally that Lp(a) is a causal factor for coronary disease, say Dr Robert Clarke (University of Oxford, UK) and colleagues in their paper in the December 24, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"The increase in risk to people from high Lp(a) is significantly less than the risk from high LDL-cholesterol levels. So Lp(a) doesn't trump LDL, which has a larger impact. The hope now is that by targeting both we could get an even better risk reduction."