Heart Biomarker Study
Help us advance the science of heart health
Help Project Baseline better understand a new risk factor help_outline A 'risk factor' can apply to a range of things that increase likelihood of developing a disease or injury. Any attribute or characteristic that increases risk (including exposure to harmful substances) can be considered a 'risk factor.' Examples include high blood pressure, smoking, or not exercising. for heart disease.
85.6 million Americans experience cardiovascular disease today. To create better preventive treatments for them, a better understanding of heart health is critical. Lp(a) could be an important biomarker and a key to accelerating research.
The Heart Biomarker Study is an effort to better understand Lp(a)help_outline. Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a blood particle which carries cholesterol, fats, and proteins. We're still learning about what job it performs in the body, but we do know that high levels of Lp(a) can increase risk for blockages in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes..This study asks eligible participants to share their EHRhelp_outline Your EHR (electronic health record) is a record of the medical care you've received at your hospitals or clinics. For example, information within your EHR can include medications prescribed to you, procedures, and lab results. Each hospital or clinic has its own record. [Your EHR will also include your cardiac history, which is a focus of this study.] and take a blood test.
Project Baseline is an initiative to make it easy and engaging for people like you to contribute to the map of human health and participate in clinical research. Together with researchers, clinicians, engineers, designers, advocates, and volunteers, we're collaborating to build the next generation of healthcare tools and services.
What is Lp(a) and why is it important
Lp(a) is a lipoprotein like cholesterol that's emerging as a key research area for heart health. Today, we simply don't know enough about Lp(a) and how it impacts heart patients. Here's what we do know:
One in five Americans has high Lp(a) levels
- Lp(a) levels are determined by genetics, and Lp(a) is considered an important risk factorhelp_outline for heart disease.
- It's not included in standard cholesterol blood tests.
- High levels can increase risk of blockages in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Who's eligible
- Age 18 or older
- US resident
- Experienced a heart attack or stroke
- Able to speak and read English
What's involved
Help researchers understand your heart health by:
Connecting your health records
Add your EHR (electronic health records) to provide a more holistic view of your health history.
Completing a one-time blood test
Set up a blood test lab visit with our partner, LabCorp. We'll cover the cost and you'll receive your Lp(a) and cholesterol (LDL) levels.
Taking surveys
You'll share some insights about your health and habits.
What you'll receive
It feels good to do good, plus you'll receive:
Your blood test results, which will contain your Lp(a) and cholesterol levels
$100 compensation
Updates on study progress and early insight into discoveries
Exclusive access to the heart health community and events
Heart Biomarker Study
Study FAQs
The Heart Biomarker Study by Project Baseline is an initiative to develop a better understanding of heart disease. The Heart Biomarker Study is dedicated to advancing research around lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), an emerging key biomarker for heart health.
Project Baseline was founded by Verily, a subsidiary of Alphabet focused on life sciences and healthcare. Our mission is to make it easy and engaging for people to contribute to the map of human health and participate in clinical research.
We partner with organizations like Duke University School of Medicine, Stanford Medicine, and our sister company Google to make clinical research opportunities more accessible. Together with researchers, clinicians, engineers, designers, advocates, and volunteers like you, we're collaborating to design the next generation of healthcare tools and services.
High levels of Lp(a) are considered a risk factor for heart disease. We're still learning about how Lp(a) impacts risk of a second cardiac event, but we do know that Lp(a) is genetic. This means it can be inherited and passed on. Knowing your Lp(a) level will allow you to determine whether testing makes sense for your family.
Lp(a), LDL, and HDL are all lipoproteins, or particles in the blood. High levels of LDL, or low-density lipoprotein (also called "bad cholesterol") can lead to blockages in the arteries. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein (also called "good cholesterol") is associated with lower risk of heart disease.
We're still learning about Lp(a), especially among heart patients, but we do know that it's considered a genetic risk factor for heart disease. Like LDL, Lp(a) has been associated with blockages in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
While research into Lp(a) is growing, we still need to know more about the prevalence of high Lp(a) within the heart attack and stroke survivor community. We're also looking at how high Lp(a) may affect risk when other factors, like cholesterol, are controlled by statin medications.
With a deeper understanding of Lp(a), we hope to enable better solutions for heart patients and their families.
A biomarker (short for "biological marker") is a measurable substance in the body. We look at biomarkers to understand biological states or medical conditions.
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a blood particle which carries cholesterol, fats, and proteins. When we speak of it as a biomarker, we're looking at levels of Lp(a) in the blood and what they mean for heart health.
You do not have to pay anything to be involved in Project Baseline.
We will not share any information with your insurance or medical providers without your consent. You and your doctor will continue to make decisions about your care.
We are committed to maintaining high privacy standards and keeping your data safe. Project Baseline follows federal and state regulations governing the collection and use of an individual's data, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Data is stored in advanced systems with best-in-class security and privacy protocols.
