SortOlo to name them are scary. Heart attack and stroke They still represent today among the main causes of death and disabilities worldwide. However, not all risk factors are easily identifiable and, consequently, it is more difficult to keep them under control. A factor that is gaining more and more attention from cardiologists is lipoprotein (a), whose acronym is LP (A). A fact that could be crucial in the prevention of heart attack, but also of stroke.
Stroke: what is lipoprotein (a) and why is it important?
LP (A) is a lipid particle, that is, “fat”, produced mainly in the liver. It plays an important role in the transport of cholesterol into the blood. When its levels are high, favors the accumulation of plates In the arteries, causing obstructions … a wedding invitation for cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke.
Its measurement, therefore, is essential to identify those who are at risk, but despite its importance, the examination that measures the LPA is not yet widespread, “recent studies show that high levels of LP (A) can increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes by 20%regardless of traditional risk factors “explains Dr. Claudio Bilato, director of Cardiology of the Ophest Vicenza hospitals. “This highlights how important it is also to consider the LP (a) in the overall assessment of the cardiovascular risk of a person” concludes the expert.
Because it can encourage stroke and heart attack
Lipoprotein (A) is a Independent genetic risk factor. In practice, it is written in the genes since birth. It does not depend on other conditions that favor the heart attack, such as cholesterol or high triglycerides, obesity and smoke. This means that even if a person follows a healthy lifestyle, an increase in the LP (A) could still export it at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. Some scientific studies have shown that high levels of LP (A) (> 50 mg/dl) are associated with the development of atherosclerosis and aortic stenosis, diseases that are directly connected to both the end of the infarction and the stroke. Therefore, monitoring LP levels (A) can prove to be a crucial step in prevention.
Keep the LP (a) improves prevention
Control of LP (A) becomes particularly important in patients they have already suffered a heart attack or stroke. “The measurement of the LP (A) should be taken into consideration at least once in the life of each adult to identify those with very high hereditary levels” clarifies the Dr. Mario CrisciMedical Director of Cardiology Aorn of the Colli – Montaldi Hospital, Naples. “In addition, for patients with recent acute events, the dosage of the LP (A) may be carried out during hospitalization and repeated at a distance of 1-3 weekssince the LP levels (A) can triple in the weeks following a heart attack or stroke “concludes the expert.
After the age of 50, women are more exposed to the risk of heart attack. (Getty Images)
A bad legacy, especially for women
The LP (A) is genetically determined, in practice it is present in the genes of one person every five, as has shown a recent study. Consequently, who its levels remain stable for life, without being influenced by diet or physical activity. Just to change, then, the women, in particular those over 50have higher LP levels than men. This increase is often linked to menopause and can be a risk signal Greater for cardiovascular diseases. Also for this reason, when the fertile age ends, women are more exposed to heart attack and stroke for the same lifestyles and other risk factors.
More help against strokes and heart attacks
Due to the genetic nature of the LP (A), its high levels can go unnoticed until serious events occur, such as a heart attack or a stroke. Because of this also measure it in children It allows a correct assessment of cardiovascular risk and can help prevent future complications. In fact, it has been shown that children and adolescents with high levels of LP (A) can be at risk of ischemic stroke, which can also persist in adulthood. Therefore, measuring the LP (A) at an early age could be useful to identify people to be monitored more carefully.
A simple blood test is enough
Prevention is essential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart attack. From this point of view, the LP (a) plays a crucial role. To measure this value, just make a simple blood sampling. You don’t even need to be fasting. At least once in life everyone should do this exam which is still not widespread. It is also true that, at the moment, there are no drugs capable of lowering the LPA if it is high, even if some are in the experimentation phase. Knowing, however, that you have this high risk factor is essential for check even more carefully tThe other factors that favor the heart attack and be kept under control by a cardiologist in a more targeted way.
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