Table 2.

Summary of lipoprotein abnormalities in South Asians

CAD occurs with relatively lower levels of LDL-C among South Asians

At any given LDL-C level, South Asians tend to carry a higher total atherogenic burden (i.e., higher levels of apo B and a higher LDL particle concentration)

South Asians tend to suffer from atherogenic dyslipidemia (i.e., high triglyceride and low HDL-C levels) more frequently compared with other ethnic groups

In South Asians, higher HDL-C levels may not be as protective against CAD as in other ethnic groups

In South Asians, HDL particles tend to be smaller and dysfunctional

South Asians have a genetic tendency for elevated atherogenic Lp(a) levels

Apo B: Apolipoprotein B; CAD: Coronary artery disease; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Lp(a): Lipoprotein(a).