The ARIC sample is described elsewhere 19,20. Briefly, ARIC is a prospective epidemiologic cohort study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate the etiology of atherosclerotic disease. The study draws from 4 US communities: Minneapolis MN, Washington County MD, Forsyth County, NC, and Jackson MS. Participants were examined first during 1987–1989, and at 3 subsequent occasions (1990–1992, 1993–1995, and 1996–1998), with ongoing follow-up conducted annually by telephone. ARIC cohort genotype data from the Affymetrix Affy 6.0 Chip and selected phenotypes were obtained for this study from the NIH dbGaP.
