Are you part of the 20% of people with this dangerous gene? There’s a cheap, simple test you can do just once in your life to find out. Join me in Episode #320 as I sit down with renowned lipidologist Dr Thomas Dayspring to help you understand Lipoprotein(a) and the test that might change your life.
“It is the single most genetic determinant of atherosclerotic vascular disease and calcific aortic stenosis.”
Dr Thomas Dayspring is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association and is certified in internal medicine and clinical lipidology. He is currently a virtual cardiovascular educational research assistant and clinical lipidologist at a prestigious national practice and has given over 4000 domestic and international lectures among many other notable achievements. As we saw in the Dr Dayspring’s lipid series on The Proof, he is adept at communicating complex science in an accessible way and brings this skill to today’s episode.
“It makes so much sense: it’s so available and so cheap that it should be a one-time test in your life.”
In this episode, you’ll learn what Lp(a) is and how it can affect your cardiovascular disease risk through two key pathways. Dr Dayspring unpacks why it’s so important to test, how to ask for this test, and what to do with your results.
This conversation covers both the need-to-know essentials and the scientific details of this lipoprotein, making this episode an important and engaging listen for anyone seeking to lengthen their health span and protect themselves against cardiovascular disease.
Specifically, we discuss:
- Introduction (00:00)
- Demystifying Lipoprotein(a): An Overview of its Role in Cardiovascular Health (02:54)
- Genetic Inheritance Patterns and Variability of Lipoprotein(a) (10:11)
- Drug Development Strategies for Reducing Lipoprotein(a) Levels (14:50)
- Exploring the Functional Role and Genetic Variations of Lipoprotein(a) (20:27)
- Inside the Artery Walls: Mechanisms and Structure of Lipoprotein(a) (32:34)
- A Deep Dive in Production to Measurement of Lipoprotein(a) (42:32)
- Identifying High-Risk Indicators for Lipoprotein(a) (58:54)
- Statins and Elevated Lipoprotein(a): Understanding the Relationship (01:11:42)
- Exploring PCSK9 Inhibitors in Lipoprotein(a) Management (01:20:30)
- Emerging Treatments and Future Therapies for Lowering Lipoprotein(a) (01:31:22)
- Exploring Lifestyle Considerations and Alternative Therapies (01:34:42)
- Oxidized Phospholipids and Their Role in Cardiovascular Health (01:43:15)
- Relationship Between Oxidized Phospholipids and Lipoprotein(a) (01:52:00)
- Understanding Aortic Valve Calcification and Its Link to Lipoprotein(a) (01:59:40)
- Key Takeaways and Future Landscape of Lipoprotein(a) Treatments (02:06:52)
- Conclusion and Final Remarks (02:13:30)
Dr Dayspring is a highly respected scientist and communicator, and I’m so grateful for his time on the show today. As Lp(a) genetic conditions affect such a high percentage of the population, this topic is so important. I hope this episode encourages you to have your Lp(a) tested; you only need to do it once in your life, and equipping yourself with the knowledge of your results will help you better manage your cardiovascular disease risk in the future.
Connect with Dr Thomas Dayspring on Twitter/X. Listen to our previous lipid series and download the cheat sheet here.
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More about Dr Thomas Dayspring
Thomas Dayspring, who resides in the Richmond, VA area is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the National Lipid Association and is certified in internal medicine, and clinical lipidology. After practicing in New Jersey for 37 years, in 2012 he moved to Virginia and served as an educational director for a nonprofit cardiovascular foundation and later as a Chief Academic Advisor for two major CV laboratories until mid-2019. Currently he is a virtual cardiovascular educational research assistant & clinical lipidologist at a prestigious national practice. Career-wise he has given over 4000 domestic (all 50 states) and international lectures, including over 600 CME programs on atherothrombosis, lipids/lipoproteins (and their treatment), vascular biology, biomarker testing, and women’s cardiovascular issues. He has authored several manuscripts and lipid textbook chapters and performed several podcasts. Until 2019 he was an Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology. He was the recipient of the 2011 National Lipid Association’s Presidents Award for services to clinical lipidology. He has over 25K followers on his educational Twitter feed (@Drlipid). He is a Social Media Ambassador for the European Atherosclerosis Society.
