Lp-PLA2 is a strong independent predictor of heart attack and stroke

Summary: Lp-PLA2 is an especially important risk indicator for heart attack and stroke that can help define an effective prevention or treatment action plan.It seems that too few people (and their doctors) are aware of the value of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) for heart attack and stroke prevention. The fact that these unfortunate events are precipitated when 'vulnerable plaque' breaks loose from an inflamed lesion in a blood vessel wall makes this marker of special importance—it is directly linked to those inflamed lesions. An authoritative paper published in The New England Journal of Medicine concludes:

"Inflammatory markers are predictors of the risk of coronary events....Elevated levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 appear to be a strong risk factor for coronary heart disease, a finding that has implications for atherogenesis and the assessment of risk."

Here are a few more reports (among numerous studies) from these journals:

1. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
2. Cardiology In Review
3. Stroke [This one also links Lp-PLA2 to lesions in the brain.]
4. European Heart Journal
5. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
6. Mayo Clinic Proceedings
7. Current Opinion in Lipidology
8. European Heart Journal (2)
9. Cardiology in Review

I consider Lp-PLA2 a scientifically validated and important screening tool for my patients whose family history or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease are significant. See a brief video illustrating the mechanism of action.