The PIVUS study started in 2001 with the primary aim to investigate the predicive power of different measurements of endothelial function and arterial compliance in a random sample of 1000 subjects aged 70 living in the community of Uppsala.
As secondary aims, the study also included measurements of cardiac function and structure by ultrasound and MRI, evaluation of atherosclerosis by ultrasound and MRI, 7 day food intake recordings, detailed ECG analysis, cardiovascular autonomic function, body composition by DXA, DNA analysis and lung function, as well as a number of biochemical markers.
The inclusion of subjects in the study was completed in June 2004 by the team below:

Anna Stenborg, Kerstin Marttala, Lars Lind, Jan Hall
 

In March 2006 a reinvesigation of the cohort at the age of 75 was started. The major measurements performed at age 70 will be repeated at age 75. In addition, we will focus on infarcts in the brain and heart, so both of these items will be investigated by brain and myocardial MRI in all subjects. Also cognitive tests are included in the reinvestigation that is planned to continue to June 2009.

The MRI angiography at top was supplied by Håkan Ahlström and Lars Johansson, Department of Radiology.