What Is The Further Prognosis For High Lipoprotein-A?

Posted on Mon, 20 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 Answered on

Thu, 6 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : i have undergone bypass surgery 6 months ago. all my blood reports are normal, my lipoproteine a is very high 110, ldl 80, hdl 49 , total chol 153. what is my future prognosis because of high lipo a , also i feel very weak nowadys, am on rosuvastatin 20 mg, carvedilol 6.125, nocardia retard 10 mg, and aspirin .

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Please see details Detailed Answer: Dear Sir 1. A total cholesterol of 153 mg%, HDL of 49 mg% and LDL of 80 mg% is good lipid profile. 2. Literature and current guidelines do not give importance to Lipoprotein-A over and above standard lipid profile. Moreover once there is an indication of statins (as in your case, you have undergone CABG), the main target will remain LDL cholesterol and you have to take statins life long, unless some other scenario develops. Hence, LP (a) is higher than normal limits but do not warrant any change in therapy neither it portends a worse prognosis on its on. 3. Weakness in your case may develop because of a number of reasons like drug therapy (carvedilol & rosuvastatin) or your underlying low ejection fraction (pumping) of heart etc. The best person to evaluate this is your cardiologist, who will be able to pinpoint the cause of weakness and it remedy after thorough evaluation. Hope this provides some insight into the issue. Feel free to discuss further. Sincerely Sukhvinder

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (1 hour later)

many thanks doctor, proactively i went for a checkup and the stress test was positive, did angio and found 5 blockages , at the age of just 44 years, no bad habits, 5 days regular gym schedule, strict diet, not much of unnecessary stress, happy family and work ,why i became a CAD victim, the answer is probably lipo a. cardiologists today do not have time to spend for an explanation, hence i took this route. My EF is 60%. should i reduce statin, and b blocker, also, there is calcification in the imtimal medial thickness in the carotid, without significant haemodynamic blockages, will high lipo a worsen this. really appreciate your answer.

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Please see details. Detailed Answer: Dear Sir 1. Although your explanation appears attractive and plausible, it is not supported by literature. As Literature says, Lipoprotein-a fails to establish itself as an independent marker and it does not provide risk assessment beyond the better recognized LDL cholesterol. Even if we consider LP-a as a risk factor, treatment will be "statins" only, which you are currently receiving. Does decrease in LP-a by any treatment, in an established case of coronary artery disease, reduces risk of future events is not clearly known. 2. 25% of all Coronary artery disease patients (anginal heart disease), do not have standard four risk factors, namely, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A number of risk markers are being evaluated to explain this which include LP-a, C-reactive protein etc. But as yet they have not been approved by international bodies which govern cardiology practice. 3. No, you must not decrease the dose of any of drugs on your own. You should consult your cardiologist for same. 4. Increase in Intimal medial thickness of carotids is used for those who do not have established coronary artery disease to ascertain future risk. Sincerely Sukhvinder

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (11 hours later)

Many thanks for your precise explanation doctor, i am at mumbai, and would be happy to know your location, so that i can benefit with a personal interaction. two last questions, what are the risks of stroke in the future due to IMT increase , and on the 2D echo, at the time of discharge, EF was 60% , no structural damage to the heart, but an early diastolic dysfunction was reported, pls advise. Very happy with your previous answers, would like to give full five stars .

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer: please see details Detailed Answer: Dear Sir 1. I practice in New Delhi. 2. Various studies have documented that increase in IMT is associated with increased future risk of heart attack and stroke. However there are different statistical observations. Moreover one can not predict risk in a given individual, as these data applies to communities. For example one study says that over a period of about 2 and a half years risk of repeat stroke increased by 18% with increase of 0.1 mm in IMT. but for an individual we can only say that there is some increase in risk for future stroke. We can not tell that this individual will be in 18 % or 82%. 3. Diastolic dysfunction means decrease relaxability. This is very much expected in a patient with coronary artery disease and need no specific treatment. Only treatment for high blood pressure and coronary artery disease in enough. Your EF is good. Sincerely Sukhvinder

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar