Joint lipid risk factors and coronary heart disease.

T he importance of lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein risk factors in the prediction, prevention, and regression of atherosclerosis is now well established. The role of elevated low density lipoprotein cholestexol (LDL C) in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) is supported by evidence from numerous epidemiologic studies, clinical trials, and genetic studies.1-3 High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL C)4 and possibly apolipoprotein (apo) A-I are thought to have a protective role through reverse-cholesterol transport. Plasma levels of apo B, the primary protein on LDL particles, lipoprotein (a), selected apo E phenotypes, and subfractions of LDL and HDL particles have all been associated with increased risk as well.