Heart disease is the major killer across the globe claiming about 91,000 lives year on year. It is a well known fact that levels of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood is the main determinant of coronary artery disease. However, a study carried out at Oxford University and funded by British Heart Foundation revealed that a third variant, lipoprotein a or Lp(a), can also cause heart disease and cannot be controlled by cutting down on dietary fats or taking a statin drug as it is controlled by genes.
The current study analysed the genes of nearly 16,000 people from the UK and across Europe and has provided evidence that two variations of the gene for Lp(a) are strongly linked to heart disease risk. Although increase in risk to people from high Lp(a) levels is significantly less severe than the risk from high LDL cholesterol levels, the study proves the occurrence of one or more of this gene in one in six individuals. This probability raises the risk of heart disease in such individuals by about 50%.
It is not clear how lipoprotein increases the risk of heart disease but it may affect the body’s ability to break down blood clots. Using gene-chip technology, researchers scanned DNA that they knew from previous studies were potential “hotspots” for heart disease risk. This analysis revealed the two genetic culprits. According to Prof. Peter Weissberg of British Heart Foundation, “”The hope now is that by targeting both we could get even better risk reduction. Some existing drugs, such as Niacin, and others coming on to the market, such as CETP-inhibitors, can be used to lower Lp(a) as well as LDL cholesterol.”
The British Heart Foundation urged people not to be alarmed by the results of the study by saying the results could pave a new way in the understanding and treatment of heart disease. He further added, “”They highlight the importance of trying to lower Lp(a), which will spark new efforts to design a medicine to achieve this effectively. And they reveal clues that open a new avenue for research to decipher how heart disease develops.” According to Dr Hugh Watkins, the co-author of the study, “This is the most convincing evidence so far that this protein [Lp(a)] is directly part of the pathway that causes heart disease rather than a bystander. If we can target it through treatment, we might expect to lower the risk of disease”.
The British Heart Foundation however, has not changed its stance to public in saying that everyone can reduce their risk of heart disease by eating a healthy balanced diet, being physically active and avoiding smoking.