Gender differences in primary risk factors were determined, with all analyses being controlled for body mass since men score higher on body mass index than women and body mass is related to levels of primary coronary risk factors. One-way analyses of covariance were performed for plasma lipids and lipoproteins, blood pressure, and heart rate. Gender differences in psychosocial variables associated with coronary risk were investigated. Analyses were performed on primary coronary risk factors at baseline in order to investigate the relationships of occupational characteristics such as demand and control with age and body mass index. Covariance analyses were performed for Type A/Type B by high and low occupational control and by high and low demand for each sex. The role of parental history of heart disease, Type A behavior and smoking in elevated primary coronary risk factors among oral contraceptive users were also investigated.