Does elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is this association independent of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)?
Elevated Lipoprotein(a), a Mendelian randomization analysis in 435,579 participants (J Am Coll Cardiol 2022, PMID 35450575) — in the UK Biobank, each 50 nmol/L increase in Lp(a) was associated with an increased risk of incident AF (measured Lp[a]: HR: 1.03; genetically predicted Lp[a]: OR: 1.03). Scope: 435,579 participants, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: J Am Coll Cardiol 2022, PMID 35450575 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
J Am Coll Cardiol · 2022 · PMID 35450575 · DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.02.018
Elevated lipoprotein(a) is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, partly independent of its effects on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
The question
Does elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is this association independent of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)?
What they tested
The study investigated the role of Lp(a) in AF and whether it is independent of ASCVD.
How they did it
The study analyzed measured and genetically predicted Lp(a) levels in relation to 20,432 cases of incident AF in the UK Biobank (N = 435,579). Mendelian randomization analyses were also conducted using summary-level data for AF from publicly available genome-wide association studies (N = 1,145,375).
What they found
In the UK Biobank, each 50 nmol/L increase in Lp(a) was associated with an increased risk of incident AF (measured Lp[a]: HR: 1.03; genetically predicted Lp[a]: OR: 1.03). Mendelian randomization analyses replicated this effect (OR: 1.04 per 50 nmol/L Lp[a] increase). Only 39% of Lp(a) risk was mediated through ASCVD, suggesting an independent influence on AF.
| Measured Lp(a) (UK Biobank) | 1.03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Genetically Predicted Lp(a) (UK Biobank) | 1.03 | |
| Mendelian Randomization (Independent Data) | 1.04 |
Each 50 nmol/L increase in Lp(a) was associated with an increased risk of incident AF across different analyses.
What it means
The findings suggest that Lp(a) is a potential causal mediator in the development of AF, with effects extending across myocardial tissues and partly independent of its known effects on ASCVD. Ongoing clinical trials for Lp(a)-lowering therapies should evaluate effects on AF prevention.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Elevated Lipoprotein(a) and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation |
|---|---|
| Journal | J Am Coll Cardiol |
| Year | 2022 |
| PMID | 35450575 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.02.018 ↗ |
| Topic | Cardiovascular & vascular aging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.
Lp(a) Mail-In Test
Large meta-analyses, prospective cohorts, and Mendelian randomization studies establish elevated Lp(a) as a causal, independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, peripheral artery disease, and calcific aortic valve stenosis, with roughly one in five people carrying high…
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-like particle in which an…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Does elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is this association independent of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)? [Plain-English summary of J Am Coll Cardiol 2022, PMID 35450575, DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.02.018]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d35450575.html@misc{magellan_d35450575,
title = {Does elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is this association independent of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d35450575.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 35450575; DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.02.018; J Am Coll Cardiol 2022. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d35450575.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
- Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular DiseaseClin Chem · 2021 · PMID 33236085
- What is the relationship between lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) concentration and the risk of major…JAMA · 2009 · PMID 19622820
- Device and nondevice-guided slow breathing to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patientsHealth Sci Rep · 2022 · PMID 35601033
- Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere Attrition, with Association to Reduced…Nutrients · 2022 · PMID 36014852
- Prognostic value of home blood pressure monitoring in patients under antihypertensive treatmentJ Hum Hypertens · 2022 · PMID 36163509
- Physiological Bases for the Superiority of Apolipoprotein B as a Marker of Cardiovascular RiskJ Am Heart Assoc · 2022 · PMID 36216435
All 67 Magellan summaries on cardiovascular & vascular aging →
Prefer the interactive version? Open this summary in the Magellan app → · Browse all 314 study summaries →