We aim to compare clinical and spirometric data in three groups of individuals. Two of them are participants in an ongoing population-based study (CORSAIB) aimed at investigating the distribution of CVD risk factors in the general population of the Balearic Islands, Spain. The design and full methodological details of the CORSAIB study have been published elsewhere (Rigo F, et al. Rev Clin Espa 2005). A third group will include patients with stable CVD regularly visited at the referral hospital of our community.