Lp-PLA2 is a biomarker released by immune cells specifically in blood vessels to cause inflammation. As vascular inflammation is associated with cardiovascular disease, measuring Lp-PLA2 levels is an accurate indicator of the risk of heart disease¹.
Normal levels of Lp-PLA2 are below 200 ng/mL².
Levels greater than 200 ng/mL are considered elevated² and indicate that inflammation is likely and increase your risk of atherosclerosis, chronic ischaemic heart disease, and stroke³,⁴. Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by plaque deposits in your arteries that increases your risk of blood clots. Half of heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels, making this an important additional test for cardiovascular health.
Your healthcare professional may recommend this test if you have cardiovascular disease or to help assess your risk of cardiovascular disease, especially if you have risk factors such as diabetes, you are a smoker, or you are over the age of 65². Lp-PLA2 can be tested along with other biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), to assess your risk for cardiovascular disease. Your healthcare professional may also recommend a cholesterol panel of tests.
To decrease your risk of vascular inflammation and cardiovascular disease, healthcare professionals may recommend you eat less fatty foods, exercise more frequently, stop smoking, and, possibly, take statins, which lower levels of cholesterol in your body. Lp-PLA2 levels can be lowered over the course of weeks or months by addressing risk factors².
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