Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims nearly 18 million lives annually—more than all cancers combined—yet one of its most significant genetic risk factors remains widely overlooked. Elevated lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), often called the “little a with big consequences,” affects 1 in 5 people worldwide but is rarely tested as part of standard heart health assessments.
In the lead-up to World Heart Day (29 September), Global Heart Hub and Novartis hosted an international educational media webinar, “Introducing the Little (a) with Big Consequences,” to highlight the urgent need for awareness of elevated Lp(a). Experts underscored that this inherited condition independently increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
A recent Novartis-commissioned survey revealed concerning trends across the Asia Pacific and Middle East: two-thirds (66%) of individuals skip routine heart tests, and nearly half (45%) do not recognize genetics as a risk factor for heart disease. Awareness of Lp(a) is even lower—just 22% of respondents had heard of the test, while only 7% had ever taken it.
“Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, yet elevated Lp(a), a highly prevalent risk factor, is not even on most people’s radar,” said Neil Johnson, Executive Director of Global Heart Hub. “That has to change, and the media plays a vital role in putting this hidden risk factor into the global heart health conversation.”
The webinar featured diverse perspectives spanning patient advocacy, clinical science, and healthcare policy:
Patient Perspective: Ram Khandelwal, who suffered a heart attack at just 33, described how the experience inspired him to found India’s first heart patient support group, Heart Health India Foundation, and to raise awareness about the dangers of elevated Lp(a).
Scientific Insights: Prof. Gerald Watts, University of Western Australia, explained the genetic basis of elevated Lp(a) and its impact on cardiovascular risk.
Policy Lens: Nicola Bedlington, Senior Policy Advisor/Project Lead, Lp(a) International Task Force, FH Europe Foundation (FHEF), urged governments to include Lp(a) testing in national CVD guidelines. Supporting this, Prof. Zanfina Ademi, Monash University, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of testing and its wider economic benefits.
Regional Dialogue: Experts from Korea, India, Australia, and the Middle East—including Prof. Youngwoo Jang (Gachon University Gil Medical Center) and Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar (Apollo Hospitals, India)—discussed barriers to diagnosis and management, and the potential healthcare savings from broader adoption of Lp(a) testing.
Although awareness remains low, the survey also revealed promise: 58% of respondents expressed interest in genetic risk testing, signaling a clear opportunity to empower individuals with life-saving knowledge.
The session concluded with a strong call to action to scale up Lp(a) testing across the Asia Pacific and Middle East, and to integrate its diagnosis and management into health systems through supportive policies.
“Every test taken could mean a life is saved, ensuring no heart is lost too soon,” said Judith Love, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa at Novartis. “We must act now so that patients around the world are no longer left in the dark about this ‘little (a) with big consequences,’ but are instead empowered to take action on their own heart health.”