Is my Lp(a) high?
Enter your result to see which clinical range it falls into.
Low risk. Reassuring — and because Lp(a) is genetically fixed, this number will stay low over your life.
mg/dL thresholds from the article (EAS 2022; AHA/ACC 2018). nmol/L values are approximate (≈2.5× mg/dL, per the article’s 125 nmol/L ≈ 50 mg/dL) — unit conversion is imprecise. Estimate for education only — not a diagnosis. Interpret lab results with your clinician.
Lp(a) ranges, and what each one means
These are the same thresholds the interpreter above uses.
mg/dL
| Range | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| < 30 mg/dL | Low risk | Low risk. Reassuring — and because Lp(a) is genetically fixed, this number will stay low over your life. |
| 30–50 mg/dL | Borderline | Borderline. Interpret alongside your family history and overall cardiovascular risk. |
| 50–100 mg/dL | Elevated | Elevated (risk-enhancing) — roughly 1 in 5 people are here. Lifestyle won't lower it; the response is to drive down every modifiable risk (LDL, ApoB, blood pressure). |
| ≥ 100 mg/dL | High risk | High risk. Warrants aggressive management of every other cardiovascular risk factor and a direct conversation with your physician. |
nmol/L
| Range | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| < 75 nmol/L | Low risk | Low risk. Reassuring — and because Lp(a) is genetically fixed, this number will stay low over your life. |
| 75–125 nmol/L | Borderline | Borderline. Interpret alongside your family history and overall cardiovascular risk. |
| 125–250 nmol/L | Elevated | Elevated (risk-enhancing) — roughly 1 in 5 people are here. Lifestyle won't lower it; the response is to drive down every modifiable risk (LDL, ApoB, blood pressure). |
| ≥ 250 nmol/L | High risk | High risk. Warrants aggressive management of every other cardiovascular risk factor and a direct conversation with your physician. |
Where these come from: mg/dL thresholds from the article (EAS 2022; AHA/ACC 2018). nmol/L values are approximate (≈2.5× mg/dL, per the article’s 125 nmol/L ≈ 50 mg/dL) — unit conversion is imprecise.
Estimate for education only — not a diagnosis. Interpret lab results with your clinician.
The short version
- Lp(a) is a genetically determined lipoprotein that significantly elevates cardiovascular and aortic valve disease risk.
- About 20% of the global population has elevated Lp(a), yet most have never been tested.
- Lifestyle changes have almost no impact on Lp(a) — it is set largely by your DNA.
- PCSK9 inhibitors provide modest Lp(a) reduction (~20–30%); next-generation RNA-based therapies show 70–90% reduction in trials.
- Testing is inexpensive and available via direct-to-consumer labs — you do not need a referral.
The full guide
Lp(a): The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Your Doctor Probably Never Tested
12 min read · Sean Moshrefi, PharmD, MS
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