Plasma concentrations of atherogenic lipoprotein particles, as measured by ApoB, are more informative for the development of coronary heart disease than cholesterol, as measured by non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol and, in particular, the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, which is a more important predictor of cardiovascular disease compared with LDL/HDL cholesterol. The gene discussed is APOB; the disease is coronary artery disorder.