Figure 1.

Familial risk stratification rules considered the presence of CHD, stroke and diabetes in first-degree relatives. Information regarding second-degree relatives was not collected, though this information may have contributed further to the risk stratification.¹³ Early-onset CHD was defined as occurring before age 65 years in women and before age 55 years in men. Early-onset stroke was defined as occurring before age 50 years in both women and men. CHD and stroke occurring before age 25 years were not considered, as we suspected these were most likely cases of congenital or hereditary forms of CVD. CHD or stroke after age 85 years was also not considered. Diabetes before age 20 years was excluded, as we considered this more consistent with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was of greater interest since it is closely linked to atherosclerosis through insulin resistance. From the same lineage refers to maternal (mother and siblings or children), paternal (father and siblings or children) or nuclear (siblings or children) lineage.