More than 20,000 patients from three major National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies were included in a new analysis showing that elevated Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is tied to ongoing cardiovascular risk, even in people receiving standard treatment. The findings suggest patients with high Lp(a) levels may need more aggressive management of heart disease risk factors. Researchers presented the late-breaking results at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions and the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology/Association Canadienne de cardiologie d'intervention (CAIC-ACCI) Summit in Montreal.
Lp(a) is a cholesterol-carrying particle found in the bloodstream. It resembles LDL cholesterol, often called "bad" cholesterol, but includes an extra protein that may make it more harmful to the cardiovascular system. High Lp(a) levels are usually inherited and can increase the risk of heart disease even when standard cholesterol numbers appear normal.
Experts estimate that roughly 20% of people have elevated Lp(a), though most do not realize it because the condition typically causes no symptoms. While researchers have long known that high Lp(a) is connected to cardiovascular disease, questions have remained about how strongly it predicts future risk in people both with and without existing heart disease.
