Lipoproteins serve as carriers for cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a known risk factor for heart disease, particularly when LDL cholesterol levels are also elevated. Elevated Lp(a) levels can hasten the development of plaques in the arteries, resulting in their narrowing and hardening. The concentration of Lp(a) in the blood is primarily influenced by genetics and tends to remain relatively stable throughout an individual's life.