Because CNP production from healthy (atheroma protected) endothelial cells in response to shear stress is much greater than from atheroma prone arterial endothelial cells16, we hypothesised that in healthy young adults, statins will acutely increase plasma CNP products whereas responses in statin naive older subjects with overt CAD will differ from age-matched controls without cardiovascular disease. The gene discussed is CNP; the disease is coronary artery disorder.