CHOLESTEROL AND LIPOPROTEIN(A) AS RISK-FACTORS FOR CORONARY HEART-DISEASE IN ELDERLY SUBJECTS

The changes in lipoprotein(a) concentration that occur with age as a r esult of its association with an increased risk of coronary artery dis ease were investigated. Lipoprotein(a) concentrations were measured in serum samples from healthy volunteers, individuals with premature cor onary artery disease, individuals with hyperlipidaemia but without evi dence of premature coronary artery disease, and also in elderly men an d women who had hyperlipidaemia. Concentrations in individuals with pr emature coronary artery disease were the same as those of the healthy volunteers, while in both these groups they were lower than those foun d in hyperlipidaemic elderly men and women, and those found in hyperli pidaemic women aged 36-68 years. No association between raised lipopro tein(a) concentration and mortality as a result of premature coronary artery disease was demonstrated. Raised lipoprotein(a) levels found in the hyperlipidaemic individuals also suggested that it may not be an independent risk factor.