More than 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable.1 A high Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), level can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) as well as a higher likelihood of thrombosis (blood clotting). This can lead to heart attack, stroke or other blood vessel and heart valve diseases.
Our Lipoprotein(a) Test measures the amount of Lp(a) in your blood, and the results can help you and your healthcare provider decide if further testing or treatment is necessary.
Note: This screening test is not intended to diagnose cardiovascular disease (CVD) or other diseases.
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Preparation: No special preparation needed.
This test measures the level of lipoprotein(a) in your blood, a type of “bad” cholesterol that is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions Lp(a) levels are often genetically determined and high Lp(a) levels run in families.
An Lp(a) blood test can give you a more complete understanding of your risk for CVD than a standard cholesterol test that only measures your traditional LDL cholesterol levels.3
An Lp(a) blood test can give you a more complete understanding of your risk for CVD than a standard cholesterol test that only measures your traditional LDL cholesterol levels.3 Lp(a) particles are stickier than other types of LDL, so they may lead to blockages and blood clots in arteries.
High Lp(a) levels run in families. Lp(a) levels are 70% to 90% genetically determined.6 If you have a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease, have high LDL cholesterol or you’ve suffered more than one heart attack, this screening test may be right for you.
Many people with high Lp(a) do not have symptoms. Because your heart health is directly linked to your overall health, knowing all your risk factors allows you a better chance to take action.
Many people with high Lp(a) do not have symptoms. Because your heart health is directly linked to your overall health, knowing all your risk factors allows you a better chance to take action.
This test in conjunction with other recommended health tests by your provider along with your clinical history can help you understand your cardiovascular risk.
References
1. Heart.org. CDC Prevention Programs (Heart Disease). May 18, 2018. https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate/federal-priorities/cdc-prevention-programs. Accessed April 19, 2023.
2. Labcorp. Lipoprotein(a) Test. 2021. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120188/lipoprotein-a. Accessed April 19, 2023.
3. Medline Plus.gov. Cholesterol Levels: What is a Cholesterol Test? https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/. Accessed April 19, 2023.
4. Medline Plus.gov. Familial hypercholesterolemia. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-hypercholesterolemia/. Accessed April 19, 2023.
5. Medline Plus.gov. Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test: What is a Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test? https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/. Accessed April 19, 2023.
6. Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al. 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. Published online October 14, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/atv.0000000000000147
7. Lipoprotein (a) | CDC. www.cdc.gov. Published July 5, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/lipoprotein_a.htm
8. American Heart Association. Lipoprotein (a). Accessed June 30, 2026. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/genetic-conditions/lipoprotein-a
<p><b>References</b></p> <p><b>1. </b>Heart.org. CDC Prevention Programs (Heart Disease). May 18, 2018. <a title="CDC Prevention Programs (Heart Disease)" href="https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate/federal-priorities/cdc-prevention-programs">https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate/federal-priorities/cdc-prevention-programs</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>2. </b>Labcorp. Lipoprotein(a) Test. 2021. <a title="Lipoprotein(a) Test" href="https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120188/lipoprotein-a">https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120188/lipoprotein-a</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>3. </b>Medline Plus.gov. Cholesterol Levels: What is a Cholesterol Test? <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/">https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>4. </b>Medline Plus.gov. Familial hypercholesterolemia. <a title="Medline Plus.gov. Familial hypercholesterolemia" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-hypercholesterolemia/">https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-hypercholesterolemia/</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>5. </b>Medline Plus.gov. Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test: What is a Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test? <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/">https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/</a>. Accessed April 19, 2023.</p> <p><b>6.</b> Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al. Lipoprotein(a): A Genetically Determined, Causal, and Prevalent Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. <i>Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology</i>. Published online October 14, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/atv.0000000000000147</p> <p><b>7. </b>Lipoprotein (a) | CDC. www.cdc.gov. Published July 5, 2022. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" title="lipoprotein_a.htm" href="https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/lipoprotein_a.htm" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/lipoprotein_a.htm</a></p> <p><b>8.</b> American Heart Association. Lipoprotein (a). Accessed June 30, 2026. <a title="lipoprotein-a" aria-label="lipoprotein-a" href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/genetic-conditions/lipoprotein-a" target="_blank">https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/genetic-conditions/lipoprotein-a</a></p>
Simply purchase this test online. A healthcare provider will review and approve your test requests; no healthcare provider visit is required.
Visit a Labcorp location near you for sample collection. Visits may be scheduled online.
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.
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Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance made by your liver. Your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. There is “good” and “bad” cholesterol in the body but too much cholesterol can pose a problem.
Lipoproteins include LDL, HDL, Lp(a). Lp(a) is a specific LDL that carries “bad” cholesterol to the cells in your arteries. A routine cholesterol test, also called a lipid profile or lipid panel, measures your LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels.³ However, the test doesn’t measure the number of each lipoprotein that can lead to heart disease, including Lp(a). Even if your LDL levels are in the normal range, Lp(a) levels may still be high. This means your risk for heart disease and stroke could still be high.
Current guidelines from the American Heart Association recommend every adult have their Lp(a) levels tested at least once in their lifetime as part of a cardiovascular risk assessment.8
In addition to general screening, this test may be especially important for individuals with higher cardiovascular risk, including those who have:
Lp(a) levels are largely determined by genetics and typically remain stable throughout life, so a one-time test is often sufficient to identify long-term cardiovascular risk.
Lp(a) levels greater than or equal to 75.0 nmol/L may indicate a risk factor for heart disease. Your risk of heart disease and stroke may be higher if Lp(a) levels greater than or equal to 125 nmol/L.8 Lp(a) levels in different ethnic populations can vary widely. Speak with your healthcare provider about various risk factors you may have.
Your results will tell you the level of lipoprotein(a) in your blood sample. A high Lp(a) level indicates you may have an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the blood vessels. There are currently no targeted treatments to lower Lp(a) levels at this time. However, you should share any abnormal results with your healthcare provider to discuss other treatments (such as statins) or ways to reduce your overall risk of heart disease including lifestyle changes (such as well-balanced nutrition and physical activity).
Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.
Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order. If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.
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Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.
To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.
