High levels of lipoprotein(a) are linked to a 2–4 times higher risk of early cardiovascular disease.

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1 in 5 people has high lipoprotein(a).•

What’s your Lipoprotein(a) level?

Family History of Cardiovascular Disease?

Educating, empowering and saving livesEducating, empowering and saving lives

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Thank you to our patient advocates.

The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy, community education, patient support and re-search into the causes and health consequences of high levels of lipoprotein(a).

The AHA, ACC and EAS guidelines acknowledge the significance of Lp(a) as an independent, ge-netic risk factor for early cardiovascular disease.

Our mission is to expand awareness of this inher-ited lipid/cholesterol risk for early cardiovascular disease, educate and empower patients, and save lives. We are advocating to include Lp(a) testing in the standard lipid blood testing panel to increase the rate of early diagnosis and provide a more accurate prediction of risk.

The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation is here for you!

The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation809 Laurel Street, P.O. Box 460San Carlos, CA 94070

Office: 650-995-3242Email: serevill@lipoproteinafoundation.org

Developed with the support of a sponsorship from Akcea Therapeutics Inc.

EIN: 46-3024812. The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), patient advocacy organization.©2015, The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation. All rights reserved.Printed in USA. L0003US 11/15

Important facts about Lp(a)• High Lp(a) is not rare. One in five people

globally and 63 million people in the U.S. have high Lp(a) levels, and most do not know they are at risk.

• High Lp(a) is currently the strongest, single inherited risk factor for early coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic stenosis, or nar-rowing of the aorta.

• People living with high Lp(a) have a 2-4 times higher risk of early heart and blood vessel disease compared to people with nor-mal Lp(a) levels.

• High Lp(a) occurs in all ethnic groups, but is more common among African Americans and South Asians.

Important facts about Lp(a)

Lipoprotein(a) (also called “Lp little a”) is a type of lipoprotein/cholesterol that has been con-firmed as a risk factor for coronary heart dis-ease, atherosclerosis, thrombosis and stroke.

Lipoprotein(a)

One in five people has high levels of Lp(a) from birth based on genetic factors they inherit-ed from their parents, and most don’t know they have it. As high levels of Lp(a) travel through the bloodstream, it collects in the arteries, leading to gradual narrowing of the artery that can limit blood supply to the heart, brain, and kidneys as well as the legs. It can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke.

Lp(a) levels can be measured by a simple blood test, but it is not included in most standard lipid panel tests. Lp(a) levels lower than 50 mg/dL (or 125 nmol/L) are considered normal. Levels high-er than this are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or narrowed arteries sup-plying blood to vital organs, often at an early age (younger than 55 in men and 65 in women). Your doctor or nurse cannot tell you have high Lp(a) by examining you.

Reasons to suspect the presence of high Lp(a) include:• Family history of early cardiovascular dis-

ease, often at a young age, including heart attack, stroke, circulation trouble in the legs and/or narrowing of the aorta.

• Heart attack or stroke with no other known risk factors such as smoking, high LDL or “bad” cholesterol, diabetes or obesity. An estimated 50% of people who have heart at-tacks have normal levels of LDL-cholesterol.

• High LDL-cholesterol levels even following treatment with statins or other LDL lowering medications.

A high level of Lp(a) is a genetic condition. As a result, when one person is diagnosed with high Lp(a) it is important to also test other family members including parents, siblings and chil-dren.

For more information, visit:www.lipoproteinafoundation.org

Diagnosis and ScreeningAlthough high Lp(a) is a common condition, most people who are affected are undiagnosed.Approximately 30% of patients with FH (Fa-milial Hypercholesterolemia) have high Lp(a). Many doctors do not routinely test for it. The Lp(a) Foundation supports broader access to testing for Lp(a) levels for all people. And because it is inherited it is important to test all members of a family where one member is found to have high Lp(a) levels. TreatmentAlthough diet and exercise can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lifestyle changes have little or no impact on levels of Lp(a). But there are now promising therapies in devel-opment that could help reduce Lp(a) levels. Through screening, aggressive management, and the possibility of treatment in the future to lower their Lp(a) these individuals can have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.

Ask your doctor to test you for high Lp(a).

How do I know I have high Lp(a)?

Action can save livesWhat is high Lipoprotein(a)?

Apolipoprotein(a) LDL-like particle