Patient perceptions on lipoprotein(a) testing and treatment for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: results from the INTERASPIRE study in seven countries across five World Health Organization regions
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Aims
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], an inherited lipoprotein, was measured in patients with coronary disease participating in the INTERASPIRE study. The aim of this study was to survey patients’ knowledge and perceptions of cardiovascular risk and their views on Lp(a) testing, consequences, and treatment.
Methods and results
In seven participating countries, recruited patients were divided into those with elevated Lp(a) [≥ 50 mg/dL (≥115 mmol/L)] and those with normal levels. In the elevated group, patients were given an educational leaflet about Lp(a), advised to see their physician and subsequently attended a telephone interview that included study-specific questionnaires assessing knowledge, risk perception, and interest in and acceptability of Lp(a) testing. A random sample of patients with normal Lp(a) were interviewed in the same way. Eight hundred fifty-six patients were interviewed, 523 (22.6% female) with normal Lp(a) and 333 (29.1% female) with elevated Lp(a). Knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was similar in both groups with a score of 62.1% in normal Lp(a) and 59.6 in elevated Lp(a) P = 0.073. Knowledge of Lp(a) and its management in both groups was poor. Patients with elevated Lp(a) were worried by their result but found testing acceptable and appreciated the benefits. They were motivated to reduce their risk of CVD despite the absence of medical therapies and were eager to receive advice.
Conclusion
Health professionals working in CVD care should be aware of the need to investigate patients with coronary disease for Lp(a) and be equipped to give advice on how to reduce overall cardiovascular risk especially given the absence of licenced therapies to treat Lp(a).
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], an inherited lipoprotein, was measured in patients with coronary disease participating in the INTERASPIRE study. The aim of this study was to survey patients’ knowledge and perceptions of cardiovascular risk and their views on Lp(a) testing, consequences, and treatment.
Methods and results
In seven participating countries, recruited patients were divided into those with elevated Lp(a) [≥ 50 mg/dL (≥115 mmol/L)] and those with normal levels. In the elevated group, patients were given an educational leaflet about Lp(a), advised to see their physician and subsequently attended a telephone interview that included study-specific questionnaires assessing knowledge, risk perception, and interest in and acceptability of Lp(a) testing. A random sample of patients with normal Lp(a) were interviewed in the same way. Eight hundred fifty-six patients were interviewed, 523 (22.6% female) with normal Lp(a) and 333 (29.1% female) with elevated Lp(a). Knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was similar in both groups with a score of 62.1% in normal Lp(a) and 59.6 in elevated Lp(a) P = 0.073. Knowledge of Lp(a) and its management in both groups was poor. Patients with elevated Lp(a) were worried by their result but found testing acceptable and appreciated the benefits. They were motivated to reduce their risk of CVD despite the absence of medical therapies and were eager to receive advice.
Conclusion
Health professionals working in CVD care should be aware of the need to investigate patients with coronary disease for Lp(a) and be equipped to give advice on how to reduce overall cardiovascular risk especially given the absence of licenced therapies to treat Lp(a).
Date Issued
2026-01-01
Date Acceptance
2025-08-14
Citation
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2026, 25 (1), pp.119-128
ISSN
1474-5151
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Start Page
119
End Page
128
Journal / Book Title
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Volume
25
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40879469
PII: 8243737
Subjects
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Cardiovascular System & Cardiology
ELEVATED LIPOPROTEIN(A)
Knowledge
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Lipoprotein(a)
Nursing
RISK
Risk perception
Science & Technology
Secondary prevention of CVD
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
zvaf174
Date Publish Online
2025-08-29