Epidemiology
Lp(a) in the top quintile nearly doubles stroke/TIA odds and doubles cerebral injury odds in 16,333 Hispanic and Latino adults, HCHS/SOL study finds (Stroke 2025)
Original title: Association of Lp(a) With Stroke and Cerebral Injury on MRI: Insights From the HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) and Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging MRI (SOL-INCA MRI)
This analysis of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) included 16,333 individuals with baseline Lp(a) and self-reported stroke or TIA history (median Lp(a) 19.7 nmol/L), with a subset of 2,642 undergoing brain MRI, to test Lp(a)'s association with cerebrovascular disease in this understudied population. Each unit increase in log-transformed Lp(a) was associated with higher odds of self-reported stroke or TIA (OR 1.13, P = 0.03), and the highest Lp(a) quintile (above 77 nmol/L) carried significantly higher odds than the lowest quintile (OR 1.74, P = 0.02). Comparing the highest quintile against the second quintile, Lp(a) remained significantly associated with cerebral injury after full adjustment (OR 2.03, P = 0.03), and each unit increase in log-Lp(a) was associated with a 0.10 increase in log-white matter hyperintensity volume (P = 0.005), though no association was found with silent brain infarcts. The authors conclude Lp(a) is independently and significantly associated with prevalent stroke/TIA and white matter hyperintensity in this large, diverse Hispanic/Latino population.
Original abstract
Background: Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, its association with cerebrovascular disease is not as well established.
Methods: Data from a population-based cohort of Hispanics/Latinos included 16 333 individuals with baseline Lp(a) levels (nmol/L) and self-reported prevalent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A subset of 2642 individuals with brain magnetic resonance imaging was also included. Linear and multivariate logistic regression assessed the association of Lp(a) with (1) self-reported stroke or TIA, (2) cerebral injury defined as self-reported stroke or TIA or evidence of a stroke on brain magnetic resonance imaging, (3) white matter hyperintensity volume, and (4) silent brain infarcts. Sampling weights were utilized given the HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) complex sample design.
Results: Mean age±SE was 41.1±0.3 years, 52.0% women, and median interquartile range (Q1, Q3) Lp(a) level of 19.7 (7.3-60.6) nmol/L; brain magnetic resonance imaging subset mean age±SE was 49.9±0.4 years, 56.4% women, and median (interquartile range) Lp(a) level of 21.7 (8.1-62.9) nmol/L. Each unit increase in log-transformed Lp(a) was associated with higher odds of self-reported stroke or TIA (odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.01-1.27]; P=0.03). Lp(a) levels in the highest quintile (>77 nmol/L) were significantly associated with higher odds of prevalent stroke or TIA compared with Lp(a) <6 nmol/L (first quintile: odds ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.09-2.77]; P=0.02). The highest proportion of cerebral injury was noted in Q5, while the lowest proportion was noted in Q2. When comparing Lp(a) >77 nmol/L with Lp(a) of 6 to <13 nmol/L (second quintile), a significant association was found between Lp(a) and cerebral injury that persisted after fully adjusted models (odds ratio, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.05-3.93]; P=0.03). Each unit increase in log-Lp(a) was associated with a 0.10 increase in log-white matter hyperintensity (β, 0.10; P=0.005). No significant association was found between Lp(a) and silent brain infarcts.
Conclusions: Lp(a) is independently and significantly associated with prevalent stroke/TIA, and white matter hyperintensity, in a large diverse population of Hispanics/Latinos.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.