July 13, 2026Open Access
The Framingham Heart Study and the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease: a historical perspective
Key Points
- This article examines the history and impact of the Framingham Heart Study on understanding cardiovascular disease.
- Describes events leading to the founding of the study in 1948.
- Provides a historical overview of significant contributions from the study over 65 years.
- Established key risk factors for cardiovascular disease through longitudinal study design.
- Linked cardiovascular health insights to historical events, including the impact of President Roosevelt's health.
Abstract
On October 11, 2013, the Framingham Heart Study will celebrate 65 years since the examination of its first participant in 1948. During this period, the study has provided substantial insight into the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. The origin of the study is closely linked to the cardiovascular health of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his premature death from hypertensive heart disease and stroke in 1945. The present article describes the events leading to the founding of the Framingham Heart Study, and provides a brief historical overview of selected contributions from the study.
Expert Takes3 quotes
1/3
“The founders of Framingham and similar studies were obviously making an investment for the future. They had a fundamental understanding that collecting clinical observations in people over time would be extremely valuable for biomedical research.”