Relationship of lipoprotein(a) levels to physical activity and family history of coronary heart disease

Objectives. This study evaluated the association of physical activity with serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in individuals according to whether the y had a family history of coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods. Lp(a) levels in 332 healthy Spanish men aged 20 to 60 years were m easured. Physical activity and family history of CHD were assessed. Results. For men with a family history of CHD, the odds ratio for Lp(a) lev els above the median value was 0.13 (95% confidence interval \=\ 0.03, 0.50 ) in very active men (energy expended in physical activity > 300 kcal/day) compared with active men (energy expended in physical activity < 300 kcal/d ay). Conclusions. Regular daily physical activity in individuals with a family h istory of CHD could be useful for controlling Lp(a) levels.