Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] was discovered in 1963 by Norwegian geneticist Kåre Berg, who identified it as a unique, inheritable antigen associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Over the following decades, it was established as an independent, genetically determined risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), with strong evidence supporting its causal role emerging around 2009.
1963 (Discovery): Kåre Berg discovered Lp(a) while researching LDL antigen differences, recognizing its high degree of heritability.
1974 (Clinical Connection): Berg connected elevated levels of this antigen to coronary heart disease (CHD).
1980s (Characterization): Improved immunoassays revealed that Lp(a) is present in everyone, but with significant variability in levels, and the structure was clarified to include a unique protein, apolipoprotein(a).
1990s (Molecular Insights): Researchers identified the similarity between apolipoprotein(a) and plasminogen, a key player in blood clotting, highlighting its dual role in promoting atherosclerosis and inhibiting clot breakdown.
2009–Present (Validation): Large-scale genetic studies definitively confirmed Lp(a) as an independent causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Genetics: It was quickly established that Lp(a) levels are highly heritable and primarily controlled by the LPA gene.
Pathophysiology: Lp(a) is now known to be "pro-atherogenic" (causing plaque buildup), "pro-inflammatory," and "pro-thrombotic" (increasing blood clots), making it a significant risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and aortic stenosis.
Treatment Perspective: Historically difficult to manage, the understanding of Lp(a) is currently undergoing a renaissance with new, specific, and highly effective lowering therapies in development.
Lipoprotein(a): A Genetically Determined, Causal, and Prevalent Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association | Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
About Lipoprotein (a) | Heart Disease, Family Health History, and Familial Hypercholesterolemia | CDC
An Update on Lipoprotein(a): The Latest on Testing, Treatment, and Guideline Recommendations - American College of Cardiology
The ABCs of Lipoprotein(a): What Researchers and Practitioners Need to Know - YouTube
The latest on lipoprotein(a), an inherited cause of early heart disease - Harvard Health
Heart health risk ‘hidden’ without routine testing: Study RACGP