The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) is a population-based, longitudinal study of risk factors for the development and progression of CHD and stroke in adults over the age of 65 years. Initially funded for six years, it was renewed for another six-year period in 1994 and is projected to shift to morbidity and mortality follow-up (with no further collection of examination data) at the end of the year 11 exam in June 1999.