Hidden Heart Risk Revealed: Non-Profit Empowers 30% Of Americans At Risk To Be Advocates
- "How Could I Have Normal LDL -Cholesterol and Almost Die of a Heart Attack at 39 Years of Age? The Answer: High Lipoprotein(a)," said Sandra Tremulis, Founder, Lipoprotein(a) Foundation-
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of Americans, yet 50% of hospital admissions for coronary artery disease have normal LDL-cholesterol.(i) The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation is revealing this hidden risk for patients.
"Patients with elevated Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease(ii). Lp(a) is a genetically-determined condition that is not responsive to lifestyle changes. Elevated Lp(a) levels are present in about 30% of the population at large(iii). Since Lp(a) is not currently routinely measured by physicians, many patients are unaware that they have elevated levels. Lp(a) can be measured with a routine lipid blood panel, but there is no adequate treatment currently to lower levels. Knowledge of elevated Lp(a) levels may motivate physicians to treat their patients' risk factors more aggressively and patients to live a heart healthy lifestyle until specific therapies can be developed and tested clinically," said Sotirios Tsimikas, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of Vascular Medicine at the University of California San Diego. "The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation is a needed resource for education of patients and their families that aims to raise public awareness of the potential risk of elevated Lp(a) levels that will hopefully lead to prevention and early treatment of cardiovascular disease."
"It is now documented that elevated Lp(a) levels not only cause heart attacks, but also aortic valve stenosis, another serious and potentially deadly heart disease. Therefore like those with heart attacks, individuals with aortic valve stenosis and their family members should have Lp(a) measured," said Professor, Chief Physician Børge Nordestgaard from Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark. He adds "It is a great commitment to initiate the Lipoprotein(a) Foundation, as this may help more individuals and patients being diagnosed with this genetic disorder."(iv)
See Sandra's story here: http://youtu.be/1D3ahEbiLr4. Find out more about the mission of the Lipoprotein(a) Foundation and people can receive the latest information on Lp(a) by becoming members of the Lipoprotein(a) Foundation at www.lipoproteinafoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Sandra Tremulis
President and Founder
[email protected]
(650) 995-3242
http://www.lipoproteinafoundation.org
i Sachdeva A, Cannon CP, Deedwania PC, et al. Lipid levels in patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease: An analysis of 136,905 hospitalizations in Get With The Guidelines. AM Heart J 2009;157:111-7.e2.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19081406
ii Nordestgaard B, Chapman J, et al. Lipoprotein(a) as a cardiovascular risk factor current status. European Heart J 2010;31, 2844-2853
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20965889
iii Tsimikas S, Hall J. Lipoprotein(a) as a Potential Causal Genetic Risk Factor of Cardiovascular Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012 Aug 21;60(8):716-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2012.04.038
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22898069
iv Thanassoulis G, et al. Genetic associations with valvular calcification and aortic stenosis.N Engl J Med. 2013 Feb 7;368(6):503-12. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1109034
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23388002
SOURCE The Lipoprotein(a) Foundation
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