When most people think about heart disease risk, they think about cholesterol.
They look at total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. If those numbers seem reasonable, they assume they’re in the clear.
But what if there was another risk factor, one that is largely determined by genetics, affects millions of people worldwide, and is rarely tested despite recommendations from major cardiovascular organizations?
In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan Robbins sits down with world-renowned lipidologist Dr. Tom Dayspring to discuss Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), one of the most important cardiovascular markers that many people have never heard of.
Why Lp(a) Matters
According to Dr. Dayspring, Lp(a) is one of the most common genetic lipid disorders on the planet. Elevated levels are associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, and aortic valve disease.
What makes Lp(a) unique is that it is largely inherited. Unlike many other health markers, your Lp(a) level is primarily determined by genetics and remains relatively stable throughout your lifetime.
This is why many leading cardiovascular organizations now recommend that every person be tested at least once.
Yet despite these recommendations, countless individuals remain unaware of their Lp(a) status.
Looking Beyond Standard Cholesterol
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that traditional cholesterol testing often fails to tell the whole story.
Dr. Dayspring explains the critical differences between LDL cholesterol, ApoB, and Lp(a), and why advanced testing can provide a much clearer picture of cardiovascular risk.
The discussion also highlights the role of oxidized phospholipids, inflammation, genetics, and other factors that contribute to plaque formation and cardiovascular disease progression.
This is where personalized medicine becomes so important.
Two people can have similar cholesterol numbers while carrying very different levels of risk.
Genetics Are Not Destiny
While Lp(a) itself may not respond dramatically to diet and exercise, that does not mean lifestyle is irrelevant.
Far from it.
Susan and Dr. Dayspring discuss why managing blood pressure, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering ApoB, reducing inflammation, maintaining a healthy weight, and addressing other cardiovascular risk factors can still have a profound impact on long-term health outcomes.
The goal is not to ignore genetics.
The goal is to understand them and work with them.
Knowledge Creates Opportunity
One of the most powerful themes throughout this episode is the importance of becoming your own health advocate.
You cannot address a risk factor you do not know exists.
By understanding your genetics, asking for the right tests, and working with knowledgeable healthcare providers, you can make more informed decisions about your future health.
This conversation is packed with practical insights, cutting-edge science, and valuable information that could help change the trajectory of someone’s cardiovascular health long before symptoms ever appear.
Graphs and resources are below!
Learn more about Dr. Tom Dayspring:
Thomas Dayspring MD is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians (FACP) and the National Lipid Association (FNLA) and is certified in internal medicine, and clinical lipidology.
After practicing in New Jersey for 37 years (with the last 20 years focused on lipidology and menopausal health), in 2012 he moved to Virginia and served as an educational director for a nonprofit cardiovascular foundation and until mid-2019 as a Chief Academic Advisor for two major CV laboratories (Health Diagnostic Lab & then True Health). Since, he has
worked as a lipid educator/research assistant for the prestigious Early Medical team run by longevity expert and author Peter Attia.
Career-wise he has given over 4000 in-person domestic (in all 50 states) and several international lectures, including over 600 CME programs and numerous podcasts/virtual lectures on atherothrombosis, lipids/lipoproteins (and their treatment), vascular biology, biomarker testing, and women’s cardiovascular issues. He has authored several manuscripts and lipid textbook chapters. For several years he was an Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology.
He was the first clinician in the US to be certified in both Lipidology (2007) and as a Menopause Practitioner (by the Menopause Society in 2000). In 2011, he was the second recipient and the first physician to receive the National Lipid Association’s Presidents Award for services to clinical lipidology and in 2023 at b then age of 77 he was awarded the Foundation of National Lipid Association Clinician/Educator Award.
He has Gold Heart Membership status with the American Heart Association. He is the leading global social media lipid influencer with an immense internet following (over 96 K followers on his educational Twitter (X) feed @Drlipid and 5000 medical professionals on LinkedIn. He serves as a Social Media Ambassador for both the European Atherosclerosis Society and for the National Lipid Association. He is also the long-time official historian of the 211-year-old Paterson, NJ Fire Department and in 2018 became only the second honorary Battalion Chief in their history. Visit www.patersonfirehistory.com
RESOURCES:
Connect with Dr. Tom Dayspring
Connect with Susan:
- Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
- Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach - Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins
Learn More about Susan Robbins:
Susan is a retired law enforcement officer and an accomplished Certified Epigenetic Human Performance Coach with a diverse and extensive background in wellness. She began her wellness career in 2015 as a holistic health and stress management coach. Her passion for helping others led her to expand her expertise into epigenetics in 2019, where she discovered the missing piece of the health optimization puzzle: Personalized health.
As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Level 2 Apeiron Zoh Epigenetic Human Performance Coach (DNA), and Certified PH360 Coach through Precision Health Alliance, Susan has developed a unique approach to health and wellness through completely personalized health. She is the proud recipient of the 2023 Precision Health Alliance Coach of the Year award. Susan works with clients to elevate their health and overall quality of life by understanding their unique needs based on their genetic makeup, taking out the guesswork, and getting results.
