Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
Informed patients make better patients.
Question:
What should my daughter do about elevated lipoproteins?
submitted by Twila, The Woodlands, TX, 9/9/08
My 19 year old daughter was just given a nutritional assessment. Included in this was a Lipoprotein Particle Profile. The results gave a Lipoprotein value of 59.8, a very elevated value. Other results were: CHOL - 175, LDL - 94, HDL - 68, TRIG - 116.
My question is, what do I do to help her?
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Roberta Bogaev, MD Your daughter had a Liproprotein (a) level of 59.8, with the normal range being less than 40. The normal range is defined as the number which 90% of normal women fall below. Lipoprotein (a) is a modified form of LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. The good news is that your daughters other cholesterol numbers are excellent. Her bad cholesterol (LDL) is 94, which is ideal (less than 100) and her good cholesterol (HDL) is 68, which is greater than 40. Her triglycerides (fat particles) are 116, which is also excellent at less than 150. Since the remainder of your daughter's profile is in the desirable range, I would not initiate any therapy at this time for her elevated lipoprotein (a). I would encourage her to live a healthy lifestyle of avoiding smoking, exercise most days of the week, eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-salt diet, and avoid weight gain. She should check her cholesterol panel, including the lipoprotein (a) once a year. In addition, she should check her blood pressure at least every 6 -12 months to monitor for high blood pressure.
Thank you for your question.
See also on this site:
View complete list of "Ask a Heart Doctor" Questions and Answers.
| Heart Information Center services are made possible in part by a generous gift from the Hamill Foundation. |
Updated September 2008
