JAMA Cardiol

Very high lipoprotein(a) levels predict 30‑year cardiovascular risk in healthy women

January 12, 2026

A cohort study of ~27,750 healthy women from the Women’s Health Study followed for nearly 30 years found that lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels >30 mg/dL (75th percentile) were associated with higher risk of MACE and coronary heart disease, while levels >120 mg/dL (99th percentile) were correlated with significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke and CV death.

Clinical takeaway: Consider measuring Lp(a) in primary prevention—especially if baseline is >30 mg/dL—to improve long-term cardiovascular risk stratification and guide aggressive management.

Source:

Nordestgaard AT, et al. (2026, January 7). JAMA Cardiol. Thirty-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Healthy Women According to Clinical Thresholds of Lipoprotein(a). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41499112/