Longitudinal studies of coronary risk factors beginning in subjects at adult age have shown that hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity are related to the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. The Framingham Study has shown, in adults over 30 years of age, a positive association between risk of cardiovascular disease and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated systolic blood pressure and diabetes, and a negative association with high density lipoprotein cholesterol.