Ultrasonic detection of atherosclerotic plaque of carotid abdominal aortic and femoral arteries and evaluation of risk factors were performed in 208 hypercholesterolemic men without cardiovascular disease. Twenty-six percent of them had no plaque. Plaque at the carotid, aortic, and femoral sites was found in 37%, 48%, and 53% of subjects, respectively. Plaque was associated (1) in carotid arteries with increased total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; (2) in the aorta with increased age, pressure, glycemia, and smoking; and (3) in femoral arteries with increased age, systolic pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and smoking. Multiple regression analysis showed correlations between carotid plaque and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; aortic plaque and age, smoking, glycemia, and pressure; femoral plaque and age, smoking, and pressure. This suggests that multiple risk factors influence lesions, and risk profile differs according to atherosis site.