Lipid measurements for coronary risk assessment: a review.

Epidemiological studies have found that high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol values and low density lipoprotein cholesterol values consistently correlate with coronary heart disease. In this report, the biochemical mechanisms by which HDL may help prevent cardiovascular disease are discussed along with the relationship of HDL to other lipoproteins. The demographic factors which alter the HDL cholesterol level are identified and possible clinical implications are considered. Laboratory methods for measuring total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoproteins and components of lipoproteins are summarized. The current role and future implications of these laboratory procedures in the assessment of coronary heart disease risk are also discussed.