High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in Japan

The population of Japan has a lower mortality rate due to coronary heart disease than does the population of other industrialized countries. We surveyed high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels of six Japanese population-groups with different life-styles (1,804 men and 1,561 women). We found that the HDL-cholesterol levels of Japanese men aged 40 to 69 years were approximately 55 mg/dL, or about 10 mg/dL higher than those of American men. (JAMA1982;247:1985-1987)