--- title: "Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count" description: "ApoB and non-HDL cholesterol are better indicators of residual risk for death and heart attack in statin-treated patients than LDL cholesterol." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.html" type: "study" study_key: "s140" journal: "J Am Coll Cardiol" year: 2021 pmid: "33736827" doi: "10.1016/j.jacc.2021.01.027" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s140 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Am Coll Cardiol | | Year | 2021 | | PMID | [33736827](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33736827/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.jacc.2021.01.027](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.01.027) | | Study key | s140 | ## Takeaway ApoB and non-HDL cholesterol are better indicators of residual risk for death and heart attack in statin-treated patients than LDL cholesterol. ## The question Are elevated apolipoprotein B (apoB) and/or non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol superior to elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in identifying statin-treated patients at residual risk of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction? ## Hypothesis The study sought to determine if elevated apoB and/or non-HDL cholesterol are superior to elevated LDL cholesterol in identifying statin-treated patients at residual risk of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction. ## Methods The study included 13,015 statin-treated patients from the Copenhagen General Population Study with a median follow-up of 8 years. Cox regressions were used to examine associations between apoB, non-HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol with all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction, both on continuous scales and by categories of concordant and discordant values defined by medians. ## Results High apoB and non-HDL cholesterol were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction, while high LDL cholesterol showed no such associations. Discordant high apoB with low LDL cholesterol yielded hazard ratios of 1.21 for all-cause mortality and 1.49 for myocardial infarction. Discordant high non-HDL cholesterol with low LDL cholesterol yielded hazard ratios of 1.18 for all-cause mortality and 1.78 for myocardial infarction. Discordant high apoB with low non-HDL cholesterol yielded a hazard ratio of 1.21 for all-cause mortality and 0.93 for myocardial infarction. Dual discordant high apoB and non-HDL cholesterol with low LDL cholesterol showed hazard ratios of 1.23 for all-cause mortality and 1.82 for myocardial infarction. ## Conclusion In statin-treated patients, elevated apoB and non-HDL cholesterol, but not LDL cholesterol, are associated with residual risk of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction. ApoB is a more accurate marker of all-cause mortality risk than LDL cholesterol or non-HDL cholesterol, and a more accurate marker of myocardial infarction risk than LDL cholesterol. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > apoB is a more accurate marker of all-cause mortality risk than LDL cholesterol ## Hazard Ratios for All-Cause Mortality and Myocardial Infarction in Statin-Treated Patients | Measure | Hazard Ratio | | --- | --- | | High ApoB, Low LDL (Mortality) | 1.21 | | High ApoB, Low LDL (MI) | 1.49 | | High Non-HDL, Low LDL (Mortality) | 1.18 | | High Non-HDL, Low LDL (MI) | 1.78 | | High ApoB, Low Non-HDL (Mortality) | 1.21 | | High ApoB, Low Non-HDL (MI) | 0.93 | | High ApoB & Non-HDL, Low LDL (Mortality) | 1.23 | | High ApoB & Non-HDL, Low LDL (MI) | 1.82 | *Hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction based on different discordant lipid profiles in statin-treated patients.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | ApoB Home Test Kit | Measurement tool | [ApoB Home Test Kit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/140.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count** J Am Coll Cardiol 2021 · [PMID 33736827](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33736827/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.01.027](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.01.027) > apoB is a more accurate marker of all-cause mortality risk than LDL cholesterol ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.html","name":"Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count","description":"ApoB and non-HDL cholesterol are better indicators of residual risk for death and heart attack in statin-treated patients than LDL cholesterol.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s140.html#study","name":"Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count","headline":"Evidence: Apolipoprotein B particle count","datePublished":"2021","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Am Coll Cardiol"},"identifier":"PMID:33736827","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33736827/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.01.027","abstract":"ApoB and non-HDL cholesterol are better indicators of residual risk for death and heart attack in statin-treated patients than LDL cholesterol."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [ApoB Home Test Kit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/140.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Physiological Bases for the Superiority of Apolipoprotein B as a Marker of…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36216435.md) - [Non-HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B compared with LDL-cholesterol in cardiovascular…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d30595507.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).