All participants were interviewed by trained personnel who used a standard questionnaire. The examination was performed in the individuals’ home or workplace.

The baseline evaluation included information about: socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, mean annual income and years of school), personal and family history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, family history of CVD, dietary and other lifestyle habits (i.e., smoking status and physical activity). The evaluation of the nutritional habits was based on a validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Smokers were defined as those who were smoking at least one cigarette per day during the past year or had recently stopped smoking. For the ascertainment of physical activity status the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used.

Body mass index (BMI), weight, height and blood pressure were measured.

Morning blood samples were also collected.

In 2006, the participants were contacted in order to be examined by trained personnel, in regard to the development of CVD.

The investigators of the ATTICA study (i.e., physicians, nurses, nutritionists) also performed a detailed evaluation of the participants' medical records. For the participants who died during the follow-up, the information was gathered from their relatives as well as certified vital records.

During 2011-12, the participants were contacted in order to be examined by trained personnel, in regard to the development of CVD.

The investigators of the ATTICA study (i.e., physicians, nurses, nutritionists) also performed a detailed evaluation of the participants' medical records. For the participants who died during the follow-up, the information was gathered from their relatives as well as certified vital records.