Objective To study the effect of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism on serum lipids and the relationship between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods Polymerize chain reaction (PCR) and HhaI digestion were used for the detection of apolipoprotein E genotype on 71 patients with CHD and 69 control subjects.Results The frequencies of apolipoprotein E4 allele and E3/4 genotype were obviously increased in CHD group than in control group (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusion The apolipoprotein E polymorphism is related to the occurrence of coronary heart disease; apolipoprotein E4 allele is one of the most important hereditary factor for the occurrence of CHD.