Chemical Pathologist and AMA WA’s new president shares useful information related to heart disease
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04/08/2023
PathWest congratulates Dr Michael Page for his appointment as the new president of Australian Medical Association WA (AMA (WA)).
Between work, family and his new role at AMA (WA), Michael spends his spare time completing a PhD under the supervision of Prof Gerald Watts, Dr Jing Pang, and fellow PathWest chemical pathologist A/Prof Damon Bell. His PhD focuses on the cause of high cholesterol that runs in families, and cause heart disease at a young age.
As a chemical pathologist, one of the things Michael is interested in is lipoprotein(a) (pronounced ‘lipoprotein-little-A’).
About lipoprotein(a)
An under-recognised, but extremely important particle that carries cholesterol in the bloodstream, lipoprotein(a) is not popularly known as opposed to low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol).
LDL-cholesterol is usually included when a GP tests for cholesterol. On the other hand, lipoprotein(a) is not routinely tested. Chemical pathologists, like Michael find it interesting as it is a similar particle to LDL, but with special characteristics that make it harmful, as well as difficult to accurately measure.
The drugs usually used to lower LDL-cholesterol (statins) don’t lower lipoprotein(a), but there are some new drugs currently being developed that will.
Treatment for lipoprotein(a)
The treatment for most people with high lipoprotein(a) is paying closer attention to other factors that contribute to heart disease, and in some people starting statin therapy – even if it doesn’t do anything for the lipoprotein(a), reducing LDL-cholesterol still helps with preventing heart disease.
Lipoprotein(a) runs very strongly in families, so if you have a close family member who had heart disease at a young age, or who you know has high lipoprotein(a), you should speak with your GP about having it measured. People with heart disease themselves, or other risk factors for heart disease should also consider having it measured.
Last Updated:
02/08/2024