Low HDL-cholesterol and high LDL-cholesterol in plasma have long been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The quantity of cholesterol associated with these lipoproteins is being traditionally used to predict CVD risk. However, recent studies have suggested that the quality and functionality of these lipoproteins are more important. The lipoproteins - HDL and LDL - undergo both enzymatic and non-enzymatic modifications which impair their functional capability and hence, test of such modification which reflects the quality of HDL can be a good predictor of CVD risk. The present article discusses oxidation- associated dysfunctionality of lipoproteins and their potential in laboratory diagnosis of CVD. © 2018 Current Science Association, Bengaluru.