Molecular studies on coronary artery disease-a review.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the major cause of mortality and morbidity in the entire world population. The conventional risk factors of CAD include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, family history, smoking etc. These factors contribute only 50 % of the total risk of CAD. For providing a complete risk assessment in CAD, it is mandatory to have well-planned clinical, biochemical and genetic studies in patients with CAD and subjects who are at risk of developing CAD. In this review an attempt is made to critically evaluate the conventional and emerging risk factors which predispose the individual to CAD. Specifically, the molecular basis of CAD including high oxidative stress, low antioxidant status and increased DNA damage are covered. A comprehensive and multifactorial approach to the problem is the better way to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the disease.