What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Heart Disease Risk: 10/10 evidence, 28 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Typical Heart Disease Risk
Inheriting two copies of the common C allele is associated with typical lipoprotein(a) levels and a standard baseline risk for cardiovascular conditions. This genetic profile does not carry the elevated risk of heart disease or stroke linked to the variant T allele.
What this genotype means: Typical lipoprotein(a) levels; Standard baseline risk of heart disease; Typical stroke and heart failure risk.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/T
Increased Heart Disease Risk
Presence of one copy of the T allele is associated with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. This genetic factor independently contributes to arterial plaque buildup.
What this genotype means: Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels; ~1.37x higher risk of coronary artery disease; ~1.27x higher risk of large artery stroke.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Highly Elevated Heart Disease Risk
Inheriting two copies of the T allele is associated with significantly elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and a substantially higher risk of cardiovascular events. This genetic profile is a strong driver of arterial plaque and clotting risks.
What this genotype means: Highly elevated lipoprotein(a) levels; Substantially higher risk of coronary artery disease; Increased risk of stroke and heart failure.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The LPA gene encodes lipoprotein(a), a specialized particle in the blood that resembles low-density lipoprotein (LDL) but contains a unique protein called apolipoprotein(a). This protein makes lipoprotein(a) particularly prone to promoting blood clots and arterial plaque buildup. Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) are a well-established, independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Because lipoprotein(a) levels are largely determined by genetics rather than diet or lifestyle, understanding variations in the LPA gene is crucial for assessing inherited cardiovascular risk.
Variant Impact: The rs55730499 variant is an intronic change located within the LPA gene. This genetic variation acts as a strong regulator of LPA gene expression, directly influencing how much lipoprotein(a) is produced and released into the bloodstream [1]. Carrying the minor T allele is robustly associated with significantly higher circulating levels of lipoprotein(a) [2]. Consequently, this single nucleotide change is one of the most powerful genetic predictors of coronary artery disease, stroke, and overall cardiovascular health [1] [2].
Key Insight: Unlike typical LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) levels are almost entirely determined by your genetics and cannot be significantly lowered by standard diet or exercise changes.
Location: LPA. Chromosome 6 · 6q25.3 · 160.6 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 91.4%; European 86.3%; African 97.5%; East Asian 99.8%; South Asian 94.2%; Americas 92.3%; Ashkenazi 91.4%; Finnish 93.1%; Middle Eastern 98.0%; Amish 95.2%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Global 8.3%; European 13.2%; African 2.4%; East Asian 0.2%; South Asian 5.7%; Americas 7.6%; Ashkenazi 8.4%; Finnish 6.8%; Middle Eastern 2.0%; Amish 4.7%.
Estimated CT genotype frequency.
Global 0.3%; European 0.5%; African < 0.1%; East Asian < 0.1%; South Asian 0.1%; Americas 0.2%; Ashkenazi 0.2%; Finnish 0.1%; Middle Eastern < 0.1%; Amish 0.1%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Heart Disease
Heart Disease. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 26343387. Typical Risk.
Heart Failure. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 31919418. Typical Risk.
Lipids & Cholesterol
Lipoprotein(a) Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 23696881. Typical Levels.
Stroke
Stroke. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 36180795. Typical Risk.
Lifestyle, Fitness & Aging
Aging & Longevity
Lifespan. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 29030599. Typical Lifespan.
Showing effects for C/T genotype
Heart Disease. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 26343387. ~1.37x Higher Risk.
Heart Failure. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 31919418. ~1.11x Higher Risk.
Lipoprotein(a) Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 23696881. Elevated Levels.
Stroke. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 36180795. ~1.27x Higher Risk.
Lifespan. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 29030599. Slightly Reduced.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Heart Disease. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 26343387. Highly Elevated Risk.
Heart Failure. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 31919418. Elevated Risk.
Lipoprotein(a) Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 23696881. Highly Elevated.
Stroke. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 36180795. Elevated Risk.
Lifespan. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 29030599. Reduced Lifespan.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
The C/C genotype represents the most common genetic profile at this position, which is associated with standard baseline levels of lipoprotein(a) [1]. Large-scale genome-wide association studies show that carriers of this profile do not have the genetically elevated risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, or heart failure seen in those with the T allele [2] [3]. Because this genetic predisposition for lipoprotein(a) is typical, overall cardiovascular risk is driven more heavily by traditional lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and blood pressure management. Additionally, this profile is associated with typical parental longevity, as it avoids the lifespan-shortening cardiovascular risks linked to the T variant [4]. Maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle remains the cornerstone of cardiovascular wellness.
Typical lipoprotein(a) levels; Standard baseline risk of heart disease; Typical stroke and heart failure risk.
Sample genotype: CT (Heterozygous)
One copy of the T allele is linked to elevated circulating levels of lipoprotein(a), an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease [1]. Genome-wide association studies indicate that carriers of the C/T genotype have approximately a 1.37-fold higher risk of developing coronary artery disease compared to those with the typical C/C genotype [2]. This variant also increases the risk of large artery stroke by about 1.27 times and slightly elevates the risk of heart failure [3] [4]. Because lipoprotein(a) is highly atherogenic and promotes blood clotting, its presence in higher amounts can accelerate plaque buildup in the arteries. This genetic risk is largely independent of standard LDL cholesterol levels, meaning routine lipid panels might not fully capture the complete cardiovascular profile. Clinical guidelines often suggest that individuals with elevated genetic risk pay extra attention to managing other modifiable risk factors, such as blood pressure and lifestyle habits.
Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels; ~1.37x higher risk of coronary artery disease; ~1.27x higher risk of large artery stroke.
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Two copies of the T allele represent a rare genetic profile associated with highly elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) in the bloodstream [1]. Research shows that the T/T genotype is linked to a substantially increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and large artery stroke [2] [3] [4]. The high concentration of lipoprotein(a) associated with this profile promotes arterial plaque accumulation and increases the likelihood of blood clots. This genetic predisposition can also impact overall lifespan, as studies on parental longevity show a correlation between the T allele and reduced survival due to cardiovascular events [5]. Because standard cholesterol-lowering therapies like statins have a limited effect on lipoprotein(a), knowing this status is highly valuable for comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment. Managing all other cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and lifestyle, is particularly important for individuals with this genetic profile.
Highly elevated lipoprotein(a) levels; Substantially higher risk of coronary artery disease; Increased risk of stroke and heart failure.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs10455872 · LPA Gene · Chr 6 · Heart Disease Risk
rs140570886 · LPA Gene · Chr 6 · Heart Disease Risk
rs73596816 · LPA Gene · Chr 6 · Lipoprotein a Levels
Stroke genetics informs drug discovery and risk prediction across ancestries.
Content updated August 2026.
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