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

Elevated lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a significant, inherited risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally. Despite affecting an estimated 20% of Americans, awareness and testing rates for Lp(a) remain low, with fewer than 1% of individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) being tested. The American Heart Association, with support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, has launched the Lp(a) Community Health Centers Discovery Project to increase Lp(a) awareness and screening in community health centers (CHCs).

Dr. Kaavya Paruchuri, a volunteer with the American Heart Association, emphasizes the importance of a one-time Lp(a) test for lifelong insight into heart disease risk, particularly for those with a family history of the condition. The project, which began with ten CHCs in 2024 and will add ten more this year, has already seen success in increasing Lp(a) testing rates at participating centers.

Research indicates that elevated Lp(a) levels significantly increase the risk of ASCVD-related events, including heart attacks and strokes. While treatment options are limited, early detection through screening can lead to interventions that lower overall cardiovascular risk. The initiative builds on the findings of the 2023 Lp(a) Discovery Project, which aimed to improve screening rates through education and has now extended its focus to CHCs to broaden access to testing.

Community Health Centers interested in joining the initiative can express their interest by completing a form available at heart.org/LpaDiscovery, with a deadline of August 15. This effort represents a critical step forward in the fight against cardiovascular disease by leveraging community health centers to reach underserved populations.