Lipoproteins in the progeny of young men with coronary artery disease: children with increased risk.

The authors studied 173 progeny from 63 families in which the father had angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease by 50 years of age. To assess the nature of the coronary risk factors in these families, we measured their height and weight to calculate Quetelet index (wt/ht2), BP, fasting plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured in the affected fathers, their wives, and their progeny. These values were compared with age- and sex-specific values from the Lipid Research Clinic data. Sixty-five percent of the affected fathers and 51% of the progeny had elevated triglyceride, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diminished high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or combinations thereof. The distribution of the lipids and lipoproteins in the children bore a close resemblance to those observed in the affected fathers. A significant number of the mothers had diminished high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which was attributed to their obesity. Screening the progeny of young coronary artery disease patients is therefore highly productive in identifying young people at excessive risk for future coronary artery disease. Early identification of this young high-risk population offers an opportunity for early initiation of preventive measures.