---
title: "Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease"
description: "High lipoprotein(a) levels are causally linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk, but more research is needed to confirm treatment benefits."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33236085.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33236085.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33236085.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d33236085"
journal: "Clin Chem"
year: 2021
pmid: "33236085"
doi: "10.1093/clinchem/hvaa247"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease

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**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33236085.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d33236085

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Clin Chem |
| Year | 2021 |
| PMID | [33236085](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33236085/) |
| DOI | [10.1093/clinchem/hvaa247](https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvaa247) |
| Study key | d33236085 |

## Takeaway

High lipoprotein(a) levels are causally linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk, but more research is needed to confirm treatment benefits.

## The question

Does high lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) concentration causally increase the risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease, and does it represent an unmet medical need?

## Hypothesis

The review implicitly hypothesizes that high Lp(a) concentrations are causally linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk and may represent an unmet medical need requiring treatment.

## Methods

This is a narrative review summarizing evidence from mechanistic, observational, and large genetic epidemiologic studies regarding the causality of high Lp(a) concentrations in cardiovascular disease. It also discusses Lp(a) measurement methods and future treatment options.

## Results

Evidence from mechanistic, observational, and genetic studies supports a causal role of Lp(a) in the development of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, aortic valve stenosis, and likely ischemic stroke. High Lp(a) concentrations predict 2- to 3-fold increases in risk for myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic valve stenosis. High Lp(a) concentrations are present in 10%-20% of the population, affecting an estimated >1 billion individuals worldwide.

## Conclusion

High lipoprotein(a) concentrations are causally linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic valve stenosis. Standardized Lp(a) measurements are crucial, and randomized cardiovascular outcome trials are necessary to confirm causality and evaluate the clinical benefit of Lp(a)-lowering therapies.

## Limitations

The review highlights the need for randomized cardiovascular outcome trials to provide final evidence of causality and assess the clinical benefit of novel Lp(a) lowering therapies, indicating that current evidence, while strong, is not definitive for treatment decisions.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> high lipoprotein(a) concentrations predict 2- to 3-fold increases in risk

## Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Events with High Lipoprotein(a)

| Measure | Fold Increase in Risk |
| --- | --- |
| Myocardial Infarction | 2.5 |
| Peripheral Arterial Disease | 2.5 |
| Aortic Valve Stenosis | 2.5 |

*High lipoprotein(a) concentrations predict 2- to 3-fold increases in risk for myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic valve stenosis. The chart uses the midpoint value of 2.5 for illustration.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lp(a) Mail-In Test | Measurement tool | [Lp(a) Mail-In Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/141.md) |

## Reference

1. **Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease**
   Clin Chem 2021 · [PMID 33236085](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33236085/) · [DOI 10.1093/clinchem/hvaa247](https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvaa247)

   > high lipoprotein(a) concentrations predict 2- to 3-fold increases in risk

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Lp(a) Mail-In Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/141.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: Lipoprotein(a) concentration](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s141.md)
- [Elevated Lipoprotein(a) and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d35450575.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).