Aim To investigate the relationships between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods The distributions of the Hha Ⅰ polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein E gene and blood lipids levels were determined among 132 Chinese subjects in relation to circulating lipids and coronary angiography. Results The control group had higher apolipoprotein E ε2 frequencies than the CHD group (p<0.001) and the apolipoprotein E gene alleles were associated with the plasma levels of lipids and lipoproteins (all p<0.05). ε2 was significantly correlated with CHD (p<0.001). Conclusion The results suggest that the apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism do have influence on circulating levels of lipids and lipoproteins and individuals with apolipoprotein E ε2 are likely to have a reduced risk of developing CHD.