Brian's Story - FH AUSTRALIA

Brian’s Story

Lp(a) awareness saves lives.

I first discovered I had high cholesterol at the age of 17. It came about by chance, after routine blood tests for an unrelated issue revealed unusually high levels for someone my age. My doctor kept a close eye on me over the years and, while my cholesterol remained on the high side, it wasn’t until I turned 40 that further action was needed.

Further testing confirmed I had the genetic condition familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). At that point, FH Australia encouraged me to check my Lp(a) levels as well. That’s when I discovered they were significantly elevated. I had never even heard of Lp(a) before. None of my doctors had ever raised it as a risk factor, despite its clear link to heart disease.

Since that second chance discovery, I’ve been managing my Lp(a) through a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Because Lp(a) is largely determined by genetics, I now know it’s something that runs in families and is set by the age of five. As a father, it’s been vital to ensure my children are tested early so they can manage their heart health from the start if needed.

Heart disease runs deeply through my family, particularly on my father’s side. He lost both of his parents and his brother far too young to cardiovascular complications. None of us had ever heard about the role of Lp(a), and I am the first in my family to be tested. Looking back, it’s highly likely that elevated Lp(a) levels were an underlying cause of those losses.

That’s why I strongly believe routine Lp(a) testing should be introduced in Australia. When I first learned about my levels, I was shocked. But now that I have the knowledge, I know I can take steps to manage the risk. Everyone in Australia deserves the same chance. No one should be left unaware of something that could make such a profound difference to their heart health.

Recently, my story was featured in the Herald Sun, Daily Mail, and other national publications. These highlighted the importance of Lp(a) testing alongside a Monash University study that showed testing could significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lp(a) FACTS

1 in 5 people have high Lp(a)
By the age of 5 you reach your lifetime level of circulating Lp(a).
Men, women adults and children should be tested early in life. If the test result does not show high Lp(a) then Lp(a) is not an independent heart disease risk factor you need to be concerned about. For women it can increase slightly after menopause
Male and females are equally likely to have the genetic make up that determines Lp(a) levels
There are rarely any symptoms of elevated Lp(a) to indicate high Lp(a) levels before heart disease (cardiovascular disease) develops

Testing for Lp(a)

Lp(a) tests are not carried out when you get a general “heart health check” or a standard general cholesterol test. If there is early heart disease in your family consider getting testing to see if this inherited condition is in your family.