BACKGROUND: Three recent meta-analyses found significant prospective inverse associations between chocolate intake and cardiovascular disease risk. Evidence from these meta-analyses suggests that such inverse associations may only apply to elderly individuals or those with preexisting major chronic disease.~OBJECTIVE: The investigators will assess the association between habitual chocolate intake and subsequent incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and the potential effect of modification by age.~DESIGN: The investigators will conduct multivariable Cox regression analyses using data from 83,310 postmenopausal women free of baseline preexisting major chronic disease in the prospective Women's Health Initiative cohort. Chocolate intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Physician adjudicated events or deaths were ascertained up to September 30, 2013.
The investigators will conduct an epidemiological analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative to investigate the prospective association between chocolate intake and the risk of heart disease and stroke.