Analyzing 3 biomarker tests together may help identify high heart disease risk earlier (Lp(a), hsCRP, & remnant cholesterol)

Medical Xpress / American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 ^ | Nov. 3, 2025 | Richard Kazibwe, M.D., M.S et al

[ConservativeMind]

A combined analysis of blood tests to measure three biomarkers linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease—lipoprotein a (Lp(a)), remnant cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)—may help identify high-risk individuals earlier, according to a preliminary study.

In the analysis, adults with elevated levels of all three biomarkers of heart disease had nearly three times the risk of a heart attack compared with normal levels. The three blood tests examine different pathways that can lead to cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein(a) is a type of cholesterol that is largely inherited and can cause plaque buildup in arteries.

Remnant cholesterol refers to harmful fat particles in the blood that standard cholesterol tests can miss but can also clog arteries. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measures inflammation in the body. Elevated levels of hsCRP may signal that the body is under stress and may indicate risk of damage to the arteries.

Researchers reviewed health data from the UK Biobank for more than 300,000 participants who were free of heart disease when they were first enrolled. Scientists tracked heart attack rates for these participants over a median follow-up of 15 years and calculated how many participants had each of the three blood test results in the highest 20% of values. The analysis found a clear stepwise pattern:

—Participants with all three test results in the highest ranges had nearly triple the risk of heart attack;

—Those with two elevated results had more than double the risk; and

—Participants with one elevated test result had about a 45% higher heart attack risk.

Lp(a) and hsCRP tests are available at most labs upon request, and health care professionals can calculate remnant cholesterol from standard cholesterol panels already performed during many routine checkups. Remnant cholesterol is calculated as total cholesterol minus LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:

[ConservativeMind]

The levels of each test considered “higher” were those in the top 20% of results.

[ConservativeMind]

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[KittyKares]

I will see if I can get these. Thanks for the info.

[catnipman]

Lp(a) is all the rage, presumably because there’s now a test for it, but its levels are determined by genetics, not lifestyle, and there are no medications currently approved specifically to lower Lp(a) [so what’s the point of testing for something that can’t be fixed?]:

question to Grok: “Are there any medications currently available whose purpose is specifically to lower Lipoprotein(a)?”

Grok: “No, there are currently no medications specifically approved by the FDA or other major regulatory agencies whose primary purpose is to lower Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels.

Lp(a) is a genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and while some existing treatments can modestly reduce it as a secondary effect, none are indicated or designed explicitly for this goal.

Key Points:

Existing Options with Secondary Lp(a) Effects:PCSK9 inhibitors (e.g., alirocumab/Praluent, evolocumab/Repatha):

These primarily target LDL cholesterol but can lower Lp(a) by 20–30%. They are approved only for high LDL-C or cardiovascular risk reduction, not Lp(a).”

[dadgum]

PING CVD and lipid markers

[KittyKares]

there are no medications currently approved specifically to lower Lp(a) [so what’s the point of testing for something that can’t be fixed?
_____________________________________________

Maybe I won’t get the test after all.