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Framiningham Heart Study

Introduction
Due to an alarming epidemic of cardiovascular disease beginning in the 1930's, the United States Public Health Service decided to undertake a large-scale study to investigate why heart disease was the nation's number one killer by the late 1940's. Researchers and doctors wanted to learn what biologic and environmental factors were responsible for the rapid rise of cardiovascular deaths and disability. They wanted to learn how and why people that developed heart disease differ from those who didn't. Searching for answers the government initiated a study called the Framingham Study. In the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, 5,209 healthy residents between 30 and 60 years old, both men and women, were selected and enrolled as the first cohort of participants. Every two to four years study participants are given extensive medical examinations to assess multiple aspects of their current health status.
This study was implemented to help our medical professionals understand major risk factors associated with developing heart, vascular disease and stroke.
History of Study
The Framingham study was initiated under the guidance of the National Heart Institute (to later become the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; the NHLBI) to assess genetic and familial factors in determining risk for heart disease. From its inception, the study was to be a long-term analysis of the physical and environmental factors that influence the development of heart disease. Prior to this study, it was assumed that heart disease and strokes were an unavoidable consequence of aging. Very little was known about heart disease before this study. It was never considered that a physician could predict or influence the risk factors.
The good men and women of Framingham Massachusetts, at least those involved in this study, were in supposed "good health." The first subject was examined in 1948 and within the first few years over 5,000 participants had been initiated...