Health condition
Raised Lp(a)
Lipoprotein(a) is an inherited cholesterol particle that independently raises heart attack, stroke and aortic valve disease risk. One in five people have raised levels - and one blood test, once, tells you.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Silent: raised Lp(a) causes no symptoms and is not detected by a standard cholesterol panel - it must be requested specifically
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Testing is particularly worthwhile after early or unexplained heart disease, a strong family history, or familial hypercholesterolaemia
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Specialist: a consultant cardiologist usually leads assessment and treatment
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No licensed drug yet lowers Lp(a) substantially, so management means aggressive control of everything else - LDL, blood pressure, smoking - while targeted therapies complete trials
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Lp(a) is an LDL-like particle with an extra protein tail that makes it both plaque-forming and clot-promoting. Levels are around 80-90% genetically determined, barely respond to diet or exercise, and stay stable through life - which is why a single measurement is usually enough, and why high levels run so strongly through families.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
Knowing your Lp(a) recalibrates your whole risk assessment: a raised level typically justifies earlier and more intensive LDL lowering and stricter risk-factor control. Specific Lp(a)-lowering drugs are in late-stage clinical trials, so identifying affected patients now positions them for treatment as it arrives. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant cardiologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Raised Lp(a).
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is raised Lp(a)?
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a cholesterol-carrying particle whose level is almost entirely determined by your genes rather than diet or lifestyle. Around one in five people have a raised level, which independently increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and aortic valve disease.
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What causes raised Lp(a)?
Lp(a) level is set by inherited genetic variants and stays remarkably stable throughout life, largely unaffected by diet, exercise or standard cholesterol medications. This is why it is described as inherited rather than lifestyle-driven risk.
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Is raised Lp(a) dangerous?
Raised Lp(a) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor, meaning it adds to risk even when other cholesterol levels look normal, and the risk rises further when combined with other factors like high LDL cholesterol or smoking. It is not an emergency in itself but is an important long-term risk to manage.
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Is raised Lp(a) genetic?
Yes, almost entirely - Lp(a) level is one of the most strongly inherited blood measurements known, passed down in a dominant pattern, which is why family history of early heart disease is a strong prompt to test it. Testing is done once, as levels do not meaningfully change over a lifetime.
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Can raised Lp(a) be treated or lowered?
Standard cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins do not significantly reduce Lp(a), though newer targeted therapies are in development. Current management instead focuses on aggressively controlling every other modifiable risk factor - LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking and weight - to offset the added risk.
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How is raised Lp(a) diagnosed?
Diagnosis is a single blood test, ideally done once in adulthood since levels do not fluctuate meaningfully with diet or time of day. Testing is particularly recommended for anyone with a personal or family history of premature heart disease or stroke.
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Raised Lp(a) vs raised LDL cholesterol - what's the difference?
LDL cholesterol is strongly influenced by diet and lifestyle and responds well to statins, whereas Lp(a) is fixed by genetics and does not respond to standard cholesterol drugs. Both are measured together to give a fuller picture of cardiovascular risk.
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When should I see a doctor about raised Lp(a)?
Ask your GP about Lp(a) testing if you or a close relative has had heart disease or stroke at a young age, or if your cholesterol seems out of proportion to your lifestyle. A private consultant cardiologist can typically arrange testing and risk assessment within about two weeks, versus much longer routine NHS waits.