Insight into the genetic epidemiology of coronary heart disease.

The associations between candidate gene polymorphisms and coronary heart disease (CHD) are complex as a consequence of pleiotropy, variation with age, selection due to the high lethality of the disease, and interactions with other genes and with environmental factors. Identification of the gene variants that contribute to CHD appears possible; this may considerably improve our understanding of the aetiology and mechanisms of this disease. Furthermore, simultaneous analysis of several predisposing alleles may help to identify high-risk individuals.