Cardiovascular Health Study

The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) is an NHLBI-funded observational study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adults 65 years or older. Starting in 1989, and continuing through 1999, participants underwent annual extensive clinical examinations. Measurements included traditional risk factors such as blood pressure and lipids as well as measures of subclinical disease, including echocardiography of the heart, carotid ultrasound, and cranial magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI). At six month intervals between clinic visits, and once clinic visits ended, participants were contacted by phone to ascertain hospitalizations and health status.

Information on dementia comes from two Ancillary Studies. The CHS Cognition Study (Dr. Lewis Kuller, PI) included 3608 participants who had an MRI in 1992-94 and who were followed for dementia through 1999. A follow-up study was done at the Pittsburgh field center that included 532 participants followed through 2013 (Dr. Oscar Lopez,PI).

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries USA
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 5,000 to 9,999
Ages 60 to 100
Brain related measures
Funtional rating Individual physiological|Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood|Urine
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Informal support|Martial status|Occupation and employment
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Current Sample Sizes 5,000 to 9,999

age at recruitment >65
last updated
recruitment period 1989-2003
estimated current sample size number value 300
cohort acronym CHS
start date 1989-2003
pi Bruce Psaty
website https://chs-nhlbi.org/
contact details Erika Enright
Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center
Building 29, Suite 210
University of Washington, Box 354922
6200 NE 74th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
abstract  The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) is an NHLBI-funded observational study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adults 65 years or older.
funders  National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
contact email [email protected]
contact phone number 1 206-897-1922
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 5,888