The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) was initiated by the NHLBI in 1987 to determine the risk factors for development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults. The study recruited and examined 5,888 adults aged 65 and older at entry in four communities. Exam components emphasized measures of subclinical disease such as carotid ultrasound, cranial magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, ankle-brachial index, spirometry, and retinal photography, as well as more traditional questionnaire, physiologic, and biochemical measures of CVD burden and risk. Nine annual follow-up exams were conducted through 1999, followed by semi-annual phone calls to ascertain new CVD events (including incident myocardial infarction, angina, congestive heart failure, stroke, transient ischemic attack, peripheral arterial disease, and death). The data and specimens collected in CHS represent a major national resource for the study of development and progression of cardiovascular and several other chronic diseases in older adults. The current Transition Phase contract provides partial support to the study's Coordinating Center for maintenance of ongoing operations to assist researchers evaluating CHS'extensive longitudinal data and samples, promote participation by new investigators, and expand access to the data and sample repositories for the research community. Additional funding for infrastructure activities and for scientific research is acquired through investigator-initiated grants and other outside sources. This contract provides a mechanism to preserve key study resources and potential access to the cohort while sharing responsibility for study design, management, and support with interested investigators independent of contract support. It assists the study in maintaining core functions while assuring open, efficient, and active use of the CHS data and specimens for the scientific community.
