Lipoprotein(a) in Youth and Prediction of Major Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adulthood

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease outcomes with unknown mechanisms. The study examined its potential role in identifying youths at increased risk of developing adult atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In YFS, those who had been exposed to high Lp(a) level in youth [defined as Lp(a) ≥30 mg/dL] had ≈2 times greater risk of developing adult ASCVD compared with nonexposed individuals. Elevated Lp(a) level identified in youth is a risk factor for adult atherosclerotic cardiovascular outcomes but not for increased carotid intima-media thickness.