Lipoprotein(a) — Lp(a)
An LDL-like particle carrying an additional apolipoprotein(a) component. Lp(a) is roughly 70–90% genetically determined and essentially fixed for life after early adulthood — diet and exercise barely move it, which is why it only needs measuring once. It promotes atherosclerosis much as LDL does, inhibits fibrinolysis, and independently drives calcific aortic valve disease.
Kamstrup PR, Tybjærg-Hansen A, Steffensen R, Nordestgaard BG. “Genetically Elevated Lipoprotein(a) and Increased Risk of Myocardial Infarction.” JAMA 2009;301(22):2331–2339 tied genetically elevated Lp(a) to a graded increase in MI risk, supporting a causal role. The gap is therapeutic: as of 2026 no Lp(a)-lowering drug has completed a cardiovascular outcomes trial proving that lowering Lp(a) itself reduces events, with pelacarsen and olpasiran trials still running. Testing today informs risk stratification and more aggressive management of other modifiable risk factors — it does not yet lead to a targeted prescription.
Kamstrup PR, et al. JAMA. 2009. PubMed: PMID 19509380
Singapore pricing. We have a full price breakdown for this test, using checked 2026 figures from named providers — read the price guide →