Experts Call for Action on Elevated Lipoprotein(a) - a Global Initiative Unblocking Barriers to Better Heart Health

8 November 2025

Ahead of World Heart Day 2025 (29 September), Novartis in collaboration with Global Heart Hub convened journalists, leading voices from patient advocacy groups, medical science, and healthcare policy to “Introducing the Little (a) with Big Consequences”, an educational webinar on elevated lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a highly prevalent yet little-known genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) affecting approximately 1 in 5 people globally.

Despite its prevalence, elevated Lp(a) is not universally understood or discussed when it comes to heart health. By spotlighting Lp(a), the virtual event reinforces global efforts to unblock barriers to better cardiovascular care—removing barriers in awareness and testing. These conversations aim to close gaps in preventive strategies and empower patients, driving collective action to reduce the burden of heart disease worldwide.

Highlights from the session included: 

• Patient’s Perspective: Ram Khandelwal, who survived a heart attack at age 33, shared how the experience inspired his advocacy work for India’s first heart patient support group Heart Health India Foundation, and drove his efforts to raise the alarm on the dangers of elevated Lp(a) among its members.

• Scientific Insights: Prof. Gerald Watts, an expert in Cardio-Metabolic Medicine, University of Western Australia, explained the genetic science behind elevated Lp(a) and its impact on cardiovascular health.

• Policy Lens: Nicola Bedlington, Senior Policy Advisor/Project Lead, Lp(a) International Taskforce, FH Europe Foundation (FHEF), urged policymakers to embed Lp(a) testing into national CVD guidelines to close critical care gaps. Supporting this, Prof. Zanfina Ademi, Professor, Health Economics, Monash University; Lp(a) International Task Force, FH Europe Foundation highlighted the cost-effectiveness of Lp(a) testing and its economic impact on health systems and society in the region.

• Cross-Regional Dialogue: Experts from Korea, India, Australia, and the Middle East (including Prof. Youngwoo Jang from Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar from Apollo Hospitals India, and Dr. Ronney Shantouf from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi) addressed the challenges in diagnosing and managing elevated Lp(a), and the potential economic benefits of testing for it.

The webinar concluded with a unified call to action to expand Lp(a) testing across the Asia Pacific and Middle East region, embed diagnosis and management of elevated Lp(a) into health systems with supportive policies.

Watch the full recording below or here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBMq2Nhbao

Learn more and find about Lp(a) with the following resources: