LDL may get all the blame — but there’s a darker twin hiding in the shadows.
Same cholesterol core. Same ApoB backbone.
But with one sinister twist: a sticky tail called apolipoprotein(a).
That extra piece transforms an ordinary LDL particle into something far more dangerous.

Meet Lipoprotein(a) — or Lp(a) — one of the strongest, most under-recognized genetic drivers of premature cardiovascular disease.
It’s pro-atherogenic, pro-thrombotic, and pro-inflammatory — a triple threat that can quietly turn even the healthiest-looking lipid panel into a ticking time bomb.

In this episode of LipidCurious, we’ll uncover

1. What is Lp(a)?

2. How and when to test for it?

3. What to do when Lp(a) is high?

We’ll walk through genetics, testing strategy, and real-world management — plus a glimpse into the promising therapies now in late-phase trials.
By the end, you’ll understand why Lp(a) is the ghost in the lipid story — invisible on a standard panel, but capable of haunting even the fittest hearts.

Bonus: For the full collection of visuals across episodes, visit the Podcast page.

Download the Free LipidCurious Starter Kit here

Questions or feedback? Reach out at hello@lipidcurious.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is NOT medical advice.

LDL-C is the number we’ve all been trained to chase. But what if the real culprit isn’t the cholesterol itself… but the number of particles carrying it?

Meet ApoB — the quiet truth-teller of lipidology.
It doesn’t care how perfect your LDL number looks. It counts every atherogenic particle capable of injuring the arterial wall — the true measure of risk hiding beneath the surface.

In this episode of LipidCurious, we’ll dig into what makes ApoB the stronger, sharper, and more honest marker of atherogenic burden:

1. Why ApoB is a better measure of atherogenic burden
2. How ApoB drives atherosclerosis
3. How ApoB fits into clinical practice

We’ll also explore practical takeaways — when to order ApoB, what cutoffs to use, and how to apply it when your LDL and ApoB numbers don’t agree.
By the end, you’ll see why every atherogenic particle counts — and why ApoB just might be the number that finally tells the truth about cardiovascular risk.

Bonus: For the full collection of visuals across episodes, visit the Podcast page.

Download the Free LipidCurious Starter Kit here

Questions or feedback? Reach out at hello@lipidcurious.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is NOT medical advice.

For decades, HDL — the so-called “good cholesterol” — has been celebrated as the body’s knight in shining armor. Patients brag about their high HDL levels like it’s a shield against heart disease. But is HDL truly the hero we once thought?

In this episode of LipidCurious, we’ll separate myth from science and uncover the real story of HDL:

1. Why is HDL called the “good cholesterol” — and is that nickname really fair?
2. What exactly is reverse cholesterol transport, and why does it matter?
3. Why did drugs that raise HDL fail to improve cardiovascular outcomes?

We’ll also explore clinical twists: how HDL can become dysfunctional in high-triglyceride states, and why extremely high HDL might not always be protective.

Bonus: The Visual Guide for this episode is waiting for you — click here. For the full collection of visuals across episodes, visit the Podcast page.

Download the Free LipidCurious Starter Kit here

Questions or feedback? Reach out at hello@lipidcurious.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is NOT medical advice.