- Older adults with higher levels of a variant of “bad cholesterol” known as lipoprotein(a) may have a higher risk of recurrent coronary artery disease.
- Experts say cholesterol-lowering medications don’t appear to effectively reduce this risk.
- They add that diet may also not have an impact on lipoprotein(a) levels, but a healthy eating plan still can improve heart health.
Increased levels of lipoprotein(a) – (Lp(a)) – a variant of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), could be a risk factor for recurrent coronary artery disease in people 60 and over, according to a study published today in the journal Current Medical Research & Opinion.
The research suggests that cholesterol-lowering medications might not effectively reduce the risk of recurrent heart disease because of high Lp(a).
In their study, scientists in Australia followed 607 people 60 and older with coronary heart disease (CHD) for 16 years. During that time, there were 399 cardiovascular events.
Their findings included:
- The median Lp(a) level in people who had a recurrent coronary heart disease event was 130 mg/L compared to 105 mg/L in those who did not have disease.
- 26% of people who had a recurrent coronary heart disease event – and 19% of those who did not – had Lp(a) levels of more than 300 mg/L.
- 18% of people who had a recurrent coronary heart disease event – and 8% of those who did not – had Lp(a) levels of more than 500 mg/L.
Study participants with the highest 20% Lp(a) levels (>355 mg/L) had a 53% excess risk of having a recurrent coronary heart disease event over the 16-year follow-up period compared to the lowest 20% Lp(a) levels. (<50 mg/L).
The researchers concluded that elevated Lp(a) is an essential predictor of recurrent heart events in people over 60.
Current medications prescribed to lower LDL, though, do not influence Lp(a).
Previous research has examined the connection between Lp(a) and heart disease. However, most of these studies looked at the first event.
The new study looked at…
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