Lipoprotein(a) is a type of lipoprotein in the blood that consists of an LDL-like particle bound to apolipoprotein(a), and it is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases due to its pro-inflammatory and atherogenic properties. Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) are largely genetically determined and not significantly affected by lifestyle changes, making it a critical focus for research and potential therapeutic intervention.