Table 1. Inclusion criteria.

Population cohorts	Risk cohorts
Prospective longitudinal study design
Investigation of a population based sample or a sample similar to the general population	Investigation of one, or including one of the following risk populations: • Individuals with at least 3 CVD risk factors • Individuals with carotid plaque • Individuals with previous MI or stroke
Well-defined and disclosed inclusion criteria and recruitment strategy
At least two ultrasound visits where carotid IMT was determined
A clinical follow-up after the second ultrasound visit, recording MI, stroke, death, vascular death or a subset of these.
A minimum of 10 events per endpoint before exclusions