All cohort participants were examined four times (1987-90, and 1990-93, 1993-96, and 1996-99), and were contacted annually to update their medical histories. Atherosclerosis was measured by carotid ultrasonography. Arteriosclerosis was measured using retinal photography. Cerebrovascular disease was assessed using MRI in a sample of black and white participants. Risk factors studied include: blood lipids, lipoprotein cholesterols, and apolipoproteins; plasma hemostatic factors; blood chemistries and hematology and indicators of infectious and inflammatory disease; DNA markers of these risk factors, sitting, supine and standing blood pressures; anthropometry; fasting blood glucose and insulin levels; ECG findings; heart rate variability; cigarette and alcohol use; physical activity levels; dietary aspects; and family history. Novel factors are tested using nested case-control studies on stored blood.