Lipoprotein (a) Elevation: What Does it do to CV Risk and What do You Need to Know About Treatment

Lipoprotein (a) Elevation: What Does it do to CV Risk and What do You Need to Know About Treatment   Guest: Vlad Vasile, M.D., Ph.D. Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.   Lipoprotein (a) is a blood biomarker that poses independent risk of heart attacks and stroke when elevated. All patients should be screened for this biomarker. Currently, there are no efficient treatments for lipoprotein (a) elevations, but likely the scenery will change as we will have treatments available in the near future. For now, we recommend a healthy lifestyle, medications that lower cholesterol, aspirin and screening of all first-degree relatives of patients with elevated lipoprotein (a), including children.   Topics Discussed: What is lipoprotein (a)? How does lipoprotein (a) increase cardiovascular risk? How do we treat lipoprotein (a) elevation? Do you screen children of patients with elevated lipoprotein (a)?    Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices. LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services Cardiovascular Education App: The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today! No CME credit offered for this episode.   Podcast episode transcript found here.