Lipoprotein(a), Aspirin and Cardiovascular Risk
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Having a high Lipoprotein(a) is a genetic risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis. Because it is genetic, lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) and pharmaceutical drugs do not change your lp(a) number. It is not reported as part of a standard lipid panel in the US since the number does not change.
In the study below, induvials were grouped as being either high lp(a) or low lp(a). As expected, aspirin had no effect on the low lp(a) group (see the 2 blue lines in the graph). Unexpectedly, there was a difference in the two high lp(a) groups.
In trying to make sense of it all, aspirin did not change number of anyone's lp(a) particles but rather it changed (lowered) the stickness of the lp(a) particles. What do you think?
