Methods. The BMES is a population-based cohort study of an urban population aged 49
years or older (n= 3,654), representing 82.4% of eligible population in a defined area of the
Blue Mountains region, Australia. 1 Stroke cases were defined among participants with no
past history of stroke at baseline (1992–1994) but who developed stroke during the
subsequent 5 years (1997–1999), or who died from stroke or stroke-related causes by late
2005. Detailed definitions of stroke events and mortality are shown in table e-1 on the …

METHODS The BMES is a population-based cohort study of an urban Australian population
aged 49 years or older (n= 3,654), representing 82.4% of eligible population in a defined
two-postcode area of the Blue Mountains region, Australia. 1 Written informed consent was
obtained from all participants at enrollment. 1 Stroke cases were defined among participants
who had no history of stroke at baseline (1992-94) but who developed incident stroke over
the subsequent 5 years (1997-99), or who had died from stroke or stroke-related causes in …