Serum Lipoprotein(a) Levels in a Greek Population Sample Without a History of Premature Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Objective To investigate lipoprotein(a) levels in a Greek population sample.

Method Serum apolipoprotein [Apo(a)] concentrations were measured in 220 men and 190 women aged 55–65 years without a history of effort angina or myocardial infarction.

Results The distributions of Apo(a) and lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] levels were highly skewed both in men and in women. The level of 30 mg/dl Lp(a) corresponded to the 77th percentile of the Lp(a) distribution in men but to the 66th percentile in women. Women had significantly higher values of Apo(a) or Lp(a) concentration than men. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels tended to be higher in women, but not in men, belonging to the fourth and fifth quintiles of the Lp(a) distribution than in those belonging to the three lower quintiles.