Tuesday Talk Show's Podcast

QUESTION: "My Lp-PLA2  bloodwork shows me at risk for arterial inflammation.  I understand there is a new drug being tested to reduce Lp-PLA2.  Should I take it as soon as it is available?"GENERAL BACKGROUND: Advanced tests measure blood levels of an enzyme called lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2). The Lp-PLA2 enzyme unleashes a chain of harmful events culminating in endothelial dysfunction, which is a pathological abnormality in the blood vessel wall that sets the stage for atherosclerosis, plaque accumulation, and rupture.An elevated level of Lp-PLA2 may signal that an arterial plaque is susceptible to rupture, which could cause a clot to break loose, precipitating a heart attack or stroke.