Plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) are important biochemical indicators of clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some disorders of lipid metabolism, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, especially atherosclerosis, are risk factors for CVD. Many new studies have demonstrated abnormalities of plasma LDL and HDL subunits in patients with these diseases, and their clinical significance is greater than the overall abnormalities of LDL and HDL. Abnormal subunits of plasma LDL and HDL have been extensively studied and paid attention to as a clinical indicator of CVD. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the advances in clinical significance and detection research of plasma LDL and HDL subunits.