Lp(a) is a low-density lipoprotein which has been shown to increase the risk of atherosclerotic disease. Our understanding of its influence has evolved with the advent of large-scale cohort studies with genetic data. Analyses of the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke conferred by Lp(a) in the China Kadoorie Biobank and cohorts of European ancestry will be presented.

Robert Clarke is an Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine at the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU), Honorary Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Scientific Director of the MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology.

His main research interests are to understand the importance of classical and novel risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Over the last decade, Robert’s research work has focussed on understanding the causes of stroke and heart disease (ischaemic heart disease and heart failure) in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB).