Hyperlipidemia has been known as an independent risk factor in the development of coronary artery disease. This study was carried out to compare nutrient intakes, smoking status, antioxidant vitamins, and plasma lipids in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and in normal healthy subjects among Korean population in Taegu. Possible causes of this disease in patients are discussed.

Anthropometric assessments included mean intakes of nutrients, and the levels of plasma lipids (apolipoprotein [Apo] A - I, Lipoprotein [Lp] [a]), and antioxidant vitamins (such as vitamins A and E) were measured in female and male subjects with CHD against healthy controls.

Dietary cholesterol and fat intakes were significantly higher in CHD groups in men and women. Total plasma cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), atherogenic index and Lp (a) levels were significantly higher in CHD patients than in the normal group in both men and women. Apo A-I, HDL-C and vitamin E levels were lower in CHD patients than in the normal group. The number of smokers was higher in CHD patients than in the normal group in both sexes of subjects.

High fat and high cholesterol intakes seemed to be a major factor for the hyperlipidemia in the CHD patients. Their abnormal lipoprotein profile, which appeared in patient plasma, corresponded well to dietary intake patterns. However, long term studies are needed to investigate the effects of smoking on lipid metabolism in CHD patients among the Korean population.