The correlates of blood pressure (BP) were investigated in 2 samples using common protocols, one from a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics study in 2 locations and one from a United States of America study in 9 locations. Age, heart rate, Quetelet index, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, natural logarithm of triglycerides and fasting glucose were positively related to systolic BP in both samples. In diastolic BP, alcohol consumption, heart rate, Quetelet index and natural logarithm of triglycerides were positively associated, and number of cigarettes smoked was negatively related in both samples.