Incidence and mortality of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) vary considerably among races, populations and ethnic groups. Some individuals with low levels of risk factors succumb early to disease while many others with a high risk profile do not. CHD clusters in families and is manyfold increased in first degree relatives of persons with an early onset of the disease. Such studies provide compelling evidence of the high degree of heritability of CHD and its risk factors.
This book consolidates the available evidence for the roles of genetics in atherosclerosis, its correlates and its sequelae. It presents and discusses the methodology currently used to elucidate the role of genetics. Separate parts focus on evidence of familial aggregation and ethnic variability of the disease and on monogenic and polygenic inheritance modes including all the recent findings and innovation. The book also contains chapters on the genetic aspects of vessel wall processes, such as early structural findings in histological studies and the variability of coronary anatomic patterns. Polymorphisms at the DNA level (RFLP) are detailed and reviewed. Directions for future research in the exciting and fast developing realm of genetic epidemiology are outlined and the major preventive and public health implications are discussed.
Genetic Factors in Coronary Heart Disease provides a systematic review of findings, integrated to offer a comprehensive summary and stepping stone for future research. It will be of interest to investigators in atherosclerosis, genetics, epidemiology, biostatistics, cardiology and public health.

Inhalt
One: Coronary heart disease in families and populations.- 1. Differences in frequency of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease between populations and ethnic groups.- 2. Variation of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease by age and sex.- 3. Familial clustering of coronary heart disease: a review of its significance and role as a risk factor for the disease.- 4. Studies of twins and adoptees in coronary heart disease.- Two: Coronary heart disease risk factors and their genetics.- 5. Assessing genetic and cultural heritabilities.- 6. Lipids, apolipoproteins and lipoproteins.- 7. Low density lipoprotein subclass phenotypes.- 8. Rabbit models in genetic research in atherosclerosis.- 9. Fibrinogen, factor VII, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.- 10. Homocysteine.- 11. Blood pressure variation.- 12. Rat models for atherosclerosis.- 13. Human obesities.- 14. Diabetes and insulin resistance.- 15. Smoking and sports participation.- Three: Monogenic traits affecting coronary heart disease incidence.- 16. Genetic defects in lipoprotein metabolism.- 17. Familial hypercholesterolemia.- 18. Lp(a) lipoprotein: a monogenic risk factor for cardiovascular disease.- 19. Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and atherosclerosis risk.- Four: Molecular approaches to clinical research.- 20. From random genetic markers to candidate genes in association and linkage studies of coronary heart disease and its risk factors.- 21. Plasma triglyceride transport.- 22. Normal polymorphism at the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) locus: effect on cholesterol levels and interaction with apolipoprotein E (apoE) genes.- Five: Genetic aspects of vessel wall processes.- 23. Intimal thickening, morphology and epidemiology.- 24. Regulation of arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation during development and lesion formation.- 25. Reverse cholesterol transport.- Six: Genetic variation and approaches to clinical research and preventive/public health actions.- 26. Gene-environment interaction: variability gene concept.- 27. Genetic factors, cardiovascular reactivity and blood pressure variability.- 28. Genetic variation and nutrition.- 29. Genetic variation and cardiac pharmacotherapy.- 30. Practical approaches for finding and helping coronary-prone families with special reference to familial hypercholesterolemia.- Concluding remarks.