“…If, as our data suggest, these variables track together in human subjects, it is possible that they may synergize in promoting cardiovascular disease. Indeed, emerging data suggest that erythrocytes, and erythrocyte membrane cholesterol, in particular, are independently associated with clinical instability in coronary artery disease patients ( 26,52 ). Interestingly, red blood cell distribution width, a strong prognostic marker in cardiovascular disease, is positively associated with erythrocyte membrane cholesterol ( 53 ).…”