Learn one thing
Lp(a) is mostly inherited and may not be included in a routine cholesterol panel.
First Steps · Your family guide
You can start the chat. Grown-ups can help.
You don’t need to diagnose anything or know every answer. Learn the basics, talk with a trusted adult, and bring questions to a healthcare professional.
A simple 4-step ripple
Start small. Keep it moving.
Pick the step that feels right for you and your family. A trusted adult can help you with the rest.
Tell a trusted adult
Share this page with a parent, guardian, school nurse, or another adult you trust.
Ask a clinician
With an adult, ask whether Lp(a) testing makes sense for your family.
Share the answer
If a close relative has high Lp(a), other family members can ask their own clinicians about testing.
Conversation starter
Borrow these words.
It’s okay to keep the conversation simple. You can share a question rather than give advice.
Try saying
“I learned about Lp(a), a cholesterol-related risk that can run in families. Could we ask our doctor if testing is right for our family?”
Questions for your family
Has anyone in our family had high Lp(a), very high LDL, or heart disease at a young age?
Questions for a clinician
Does a standard cholesterol panel include Lp(a)? Should anyone in our family have a separate test?
Questions about results
What units are on the lab report? How does this result fit with family history and other risks?
Free adult screening resource
An at-home option for adults.
Family Heart Foundation’s Cholesterol Connect currently offers a free, one-time at-home finger-stick screening for a limited time.
Family Heart Foundation · Cholesterol Connect
Check Lp(a) and more, from home.
The screening includes Lp(a) and a full lipid panel—LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides—plus access to the Foundation’s Care Navigation team for help understanding results and preparing questions for a clinician.
Eligibility: U.S. residents age 18 or older. Not available in New York or Puerto Rico. The program is for adults only. If you’re under 18, share this page with a parent or guardian and ask your pediatrician whether testing is appropriate.
Check current eligibility ↗The screening doesn’t replace a healthcare professional’s advice or care. Program details and availability can change; check the Foundation’s page before ordering.
If you're under 18
Your pediatrician can guide your family.
Testing for young people depends on age, family history, and clinical guidance. The free at-home kit above is not for people under 18. A parent or guardian can help bring questions to a pediatrician.
You can be the spark, and adults can help carry the next steps. You are not responsible for interpreting test results or choosing treatment.