High-density cholesterol (HDL) levels are affected by genetic influences and certain behaviors. Low levels of HDL-C are considered as an independent risk factor for premature coronary heart disease. In patients with Tangier disease, characterised by low HDL levels, mutations in the ATP binding cassette transporter have been described. We have analysed three polymorphisms of the ABCA1 gene (-477C/T, R219 K, and I883M) in a cohort of young male survivors of myocardial infarction in order to know their influence in long-term prognosis. In premature heart disease, knowing prognosis factors is specially relevant.