The heritable hyperlipoproteinemias and atherosclerosis.

1. The genetic hyperlipoproteinemias are common, are easily diagnosed and are often expressed in children or in infants. 2. Familial combined hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are all associated with a markedly augmented atherosclerotic cardiovascular event rate. 3. The clinical importance of early diagnosis, family screening, and lipid sampling in high risk or free living populations must be emphasized. 4. Exciting progress at a biochemical molecular level (in tissue culture, for example) provides better understanding of the genetic hyperlipoproteinemias and possible avenues for its better therapy.