Small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size is now recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). LDL size was investigated as a possible explanation for differences in CVD rates among African-Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS).¹ As this slide shows, LDL size differed significantly (P < 0.001) by ethnic group, as did high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels. A comparison of the three ethnic groups revealed that reduced LDL size was associated with lower HDL-C levels and higher TG levels. African-Americans had higher HDL-C and lower TG levels than non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics had the opposite pattern, with lower HDL-C and higher TG levels than non-Hispanic whites. Reference

1. Haffner SM, D’Agostino R Jr, Goff D, et al. LDL size in African Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites: the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1999;19:2234–2240.