Unlocking the Secrets of Lipoprotein(a): A Global and Local Dive into Its Prevalence and Impact on Heart Health

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined variant of low density lipoprotein (LDL), consisting of apolipoprotein(a)[apo(a)] covalently linked by a disulphide bond to apolipoproteinB-100. The structure of Lp(a) varies considerably among individuals, primarily due to genetic polymorphisms in the LPA gene, which encodes the size of apo(a) and influences the concentration of Lp(a) particles in the plasma. Generally, individuals with fewer kringle IV type 2 repeats in the LPA gene tend to have smaller Lp(a) particles, which are associated with higher plasma Lp(a) levels.