Low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) have been found to be associated with an increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the genetic basis for this association is not well understood and the clinical implications of this association have not been extensively addressed. The study, in seeking to elucidate the genetic basis for low HDL-C and examine the clinical implications of low HDL-C, focuses upon an important research topic.