Factors influencing total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in a population at high coronary risk.

. Serum total cholesteroland high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterolconcentrations were measured in 1122 men and 1147 women aged between 25 and 64 years during the first Belfast MONICA survey, and the results subjected to multiple regression analysis. In both men and women, total cholesterolincreased with age. Although HDL- cholesterolshowed little variation with age, the values were considerably higher in women than men. Total cholesterolincreased with body mass indexwhile HDL- cholesteroldecreased, and these findings persisted after adjustment for age. Regular exercise was associated with higher HDL- cholesterolvalues, even after adjustment for age and body mass index. Among men and women who abstained from alcohol, lower values of HDL- cholesterolwere observed. In both sexes, cigarette smoking was associated with significant increases in total cholesterolvalues and decreases in HDL- cholesterolvalues, though some of these findings became apparent only after adjustment for other relevant factors. Perhaps surprisingly, a measure of health knowledge showed no association with blood lipidconcentrations.