High density lipoprotein subfractions and coronary risk factors in normal men.

Plasma levels of total high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and its subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3) were measured in 366 healthy Caucasian males; these values were related to a number of coronary risk factors. On univariate statistical analysis, total HDL was negatively correlated with cigarette consumption, body mass index, and serum triglycerides, and positively associated with level of physical activity and alcohol consumption. HDL2 showed an inverse relationship with cigarette consumption, body mass index, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure and a positive relationship with age. HDL3 was negatively correlated with cigarette smoking, body mass index, and triglycerides and positively associated with exercise level and alcohol consumption. Total HDL and HDL2 were inversely related to coronary risk rating, but HDL3 showed no significant correlation. Many of these relationships became nonsignificant after allowing for the effects of other variables. In particular, none of the HDL measurements correlated significantly with risk score after allowing for the effect of triglycerides. There is insufficient evidence at present to recommend the inclusion of HDL subfractions as routine screening tests for heart disease.