Community Health Centers Expand Screening for Cardiovascular Disease Marker Lp(a)

The American Heart Association has launched the Lp(a) Community Health Centers Discovery Project, an initiative aimed at increasing awareness and screening for lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a significant but often overlooked genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, this project seeks to enhance shared decision-making between healthcare professionals and patients regarding Lp(a) screening and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk management.

Lp(a) is an inherited risk factor similar to LDL cholesterol but is not influenced by lifestyle changes. Despite its prevalence, with an estimated 1 in 5 Americans having high levels, less than 1% of those with ASCVD are tested for Lp(a). The initiative builds on the success of the Lp(a) Discovery Project, which improved screening rates in health systems across the U.S., by extending these efforts to community health centers (CHCs).

Ten CHCs have already joined the project in 2024, with plans to add ten more this year. These centers have implemented new Lp(a) screening processes, leading to increased testing. Participating centers include Bay Area Community Health in California and Bee Busy Wellness Center in Texas, among others. The project underscores the importance of early detection, as elevated Lp(a) levels can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other ASCVD-related events.

Despite limited treatment options for high Lp(a), awareness and early screening can motivate individuals to manage their overall heart disease risk more effectively. The American Heart Association encourages more CHCs to participate by completing a form available at heart.org/LpaDiscovery before the August 15 deadline.