We measured fasting serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C) levels in 5000 individuals. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 31%. Compared with women, men had lower mean TC, LDL-C and HDL-C and higher mean TG. Optimal TC level was observed in only 46% of men and 41% of women, and optimal TG in 42% of men and 50% of women. Only 3% of men and 12% of women had HDL-C > 60 mg/dL. Mean TC was not different in CAD patients and those without CAD, but mean TG was significantly higher and mean HDL-C was lower. In all age groups, low HDL-C was more prevalent among men and women who had CAD.