Statins
Diet and exercise raise Lp(a) by 20% in obese African-Americans, while statins push it up 30%, a study of 343 patients (Atherosclerosis 2004)
Original title: Response of lipoprotein(a) levels to therapeutic life-style change in obese African-Americans
This study measured Lp(a) and lipid profiles in 343 obese African-Americans (BMI above 30 kg/m2), with 105 completing a 3-month diet and exercise intervention. Baseline Lp(a) ranged from 1.2 to 280 mg/dL and was inversely associated with triglycerides (P<0.05). After the intervention, Lp(a) and HDL cholesterol increased by a mean of 20% and 5%, while total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and BMI decreased by 7%, 10%, 11% and 8%. Women on estrogen replacement had negligible Lp(a) change, while participants taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) saw Lp(a) rise by 30%. The findings show that a lifestyle intervention combining diet and exercise in obese African-Americans improves most lipid parameters but paradoxically raises Lp(a), an effect more pronounced with statin use.
Original abstract
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is regarded as an independent risk factor for Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The objectives of this study were: to determine the effects of diet and exercise on Lp(a) and to evaluate the relation of Lp(a) with the lipid profile (total serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol). Baseline Lp(a), body mass index (BMI) and the lipid profiles were measured in 343 Obese (BMI >30kg/m(2)) African-Americans. After a 3-month intervention of diet and exercise by 105 participants, their lipids were re-measured. Baseline Lp(a) levels ranged from 1.2 to 280mg/dl. Lp(a) was inversely associated with triglyceride (P<0.05). After the intervention, Lp(a) and HDL increased by a mean of 20 and 5%, respectively. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and BMI decreased by 7, 10, 11 and 8%, respectively. Women taking estrogen replacement had a negligible change in Lp(a) while participants taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors had an increase in Lp(a) levels by 30%.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.