Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for individuals in baseline blood lead tertiles, adjusting for age, race, sex, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, income, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, education, urban residence, postmenopausal status, hypertension and kidney function (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m3). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is Hypertension.