In a method for detecting a genetic predisposition in a human for non-responsiveness to statin drug treatment for coronary artery disease, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences of the human lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene are amplified and analyzed. Homozygosity for a variant allele in a non-coding or untranslated region of the 3' end of LPL, for example, LPL HindIII 2/2 or (TTTA).sub.n 4/4 genotypes, is linked to non-responsiveness to treatment with statin drugs, including lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, or cerivastatin. Oligonucleotide primer sequences, primer sets, and genetic testing kits allow the practitioner to practice the method and thus better individualize the treatment and improve the care of patients with coronary artery disease.