Lipoprotein(a)

Lipoprotein(a) - or Lp(a) for short - is a type of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is like a little building block that your body uses to create cells and other important things like hormones.

Now, Lp(a) is a little different from regular cholesterol because it has a small amount of something called "sticky" proteins attached to it. These sticky proteins can make Lp(a) more likely to build up in your arteries - kind of like how sticky tape can stick to things.

Having high levels of Lp(a) in your blood may increase your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack, especially if you already have other risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

So, it's important to keep an eye on your Lp(a) levels if you're at risk for heart disease. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medications or suggest lifestyle changes to help lower your overall risk.