Researchers at the University of Washington School of Public
Health and Community Medicine have produced new analyses
predicting the risk of heart disease among diverse population
groups -- younger women, middle-aged men and older Japanese-
American men. The findings are being presented on March 26 at
the 39th Annual American Heart Association (AHA) Conference on
Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention in Orlando,
Florida. The analyses are based on results from several studies
showing that for every nanometer decrease in low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) particle diameter or size, heart disease risk
increases from 30 to 230 percent, depending on the population
studied. LDL particles carry the "bad cholesterol" through the
bloodstream. Smaller LDL particles may more easily become
trapped in blood vessel walls than larger ones, possibly
increasing risk for atherosclerosis. LDL particle size is
determined using a technique called gradient gel electrophoresis
that separates LDL particles obtained from blood