[Life] Lipoprotein(a) is worse than bad cholesterol. Chang Gung research: More likely to clog blood vessels.
bellala 央廣3h agoEdited
Cardiovascular diseases rank among the top 10 causes of death for Taiwanese people. A long-term follow-up study by Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, tracking over 50,000 local data points, found that lipoprotein(a) is more likely to cause thrombosis and stroke than "bad cholesterol" (low-density cholesterol). Exceeding 30 mg/dL increases risk by 27%, a lower threshold than the previously used European and American standard of 50 mg/dL.
The research team from Linkou Chang Gung's Cardiology Department utilized the vast electronic medical records of the Chang Gung system for big data analysis, incorporating over 50,000 Taiwanese local data points for a multi-hospital, cross-regional study. After an average follow-up of 6.6 years, the results were recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, with a press conference held today (18th) to announce these latest research findings.
Dr. Chen Dong-yi, a physician in Cardiology at Linkou Chang Gung, explained that lipoprotein(a) is a special lipid particle that transports cholesterol in the blood. Its structure is similar to low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly known as "bad cholesterol," but it has an additional long-chain protein called apolipoprotein(a), giving lipoprotein(a) stronger inflammatory, pro-thrombotic, and artery-hardening properties.
The results showed that when lipoprotein(a) concentration reaches above 30 mg/dL, compared to individuals with levels below 30 mg/dL, there is a significant 27% increase in major adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, peripheral vascular intervention, and cardiac death.
Dr. Chen Dong-yi's presentation indicated that the study further revealed that in populations without pre-existing cardiovascular disease, when lipoprotein(a) concentration reaches above 50 mg/dL, there is also a significant increase in mortality risk, rising by 17% compared to those below 50 mg/dL, demonstrating that lipoprotein(a) has different clinical significance at different concentration ranges.
"Previous research on lipoprotein(a) was mostly from European and American populations, generally believing that concentrations needed to reach 50 mg/dL or even 90 mg/dL or higher to have significant clinical risk," Dr. Chen Dong-yi highlighted the importance of this finding, noting that lipoprotein(a) concentration distribution has significant racial differences. Asian populations generally have lower lipoprotein(a) concentrations than Caucasians, but the corresponding risk may begin to rise at lower levels, and the risk threshold should be redefined.
Dr. Chen Dong-yi reminded that current commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs primarily target LDL cholesterol and cannot effectively reduce lipoprotein(a) concentration. Therefore, in modern medicine, even if a patient's LDL cholesterol is well-controlled, they may still face cardiovascular disease risk due to high lipoprotein(a) levels, which is residual risk and requires caution.
He also emphasized that while lipoprotein(a) concentration cannot be significantly lowered by diet or exercise alone, maintaining regular routines, a balanced diet, weight control, avoiding smoking, regular exercise, and actively controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and LDL cholesterol can still help reduce overall cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Chen Jun-ji, a physician in Cardiology at Linkou Chang Gung, urged that lipoprotein(a) levels can be checked through blood tests. He particularly recommends that individuals with a family history of early-onset cardiovascular disease, young myocardial infarction, or those who experience recurrent cardiovascular events despite good cholesterol control, discuss with their doctor whether to arrange testing. Other individuals may consider getting tested once in their lifetime to understand their own risk. (Editors: Hsu Chia-yuan / Sung Wan-yuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215297
How does this article make you feel?
0 people reacted