23 Jan 2026 • The UK Biobank showed that higher lipoprotein(a) levels were consistently associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, independent of glucose status.

Among more than 300,000 adults followed for a median of 13.2 years, over 29,500 ASCVD events occurred, with risk rising progressively across increasing Lp(a) concentrations. Individuals in the highest decile of Lp(a) had a 28% higher ASCVD risk compared with those in the lowest third among participants with normal glucose regulation (HR 1.28). Similar associations were observed in prediabetes (HR 1.23) and diabetes (HR 1.16).

The relationship remained stable across inflammatory states, with no significant interaction between Lp(a) levels and C-reactive protein, reinforcing Lp(a) as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

Source: WILEY | Read full story