The ICS aimed to investigate the association of various lifestyle behaviour, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical markers with the risk of cardiovascular disease events. Participants were around 6,500 adults aged 35 years or older living in urban and rural areas from three counties in central Iran (Isfahan, Arak and Najafabad), recruited from the baseline wave of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). Baseline data collection took place in 2001. This examination was repeated in 2007 and participants were followed up every two years through phone interviews and linked mortality and healthcare data until 2011. A sub cohort was also followed up in 2013.