PURPOSE--To evaluate the frequency and other characteristics of some cardiovascular risk factors among physicians of Säo Paulo State, Brazil. METHODS--From a questionnaire, 1395 voluntary physicians answered questions about personal and familial cardiovascular disease and risk factors, and blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, glucose, height and weight were recorded. RESULTS--The frequency of familial history of ischemic heart disease was 24.4 per cent; positive personal antecedent of hypercholesterolemia, 12.4 per cent; serum total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl, 14.3 per cent; positive personal antecedent of hypertension, 8.4 per cent; systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mmHg or diastolic > or = 90 mmHg, 23.8 per cent; current cigarette smokers, 17.4 per cent; prior cigarette smokers, 19.1 per cent; positive personal antecedent of diabetes, 0.8 per cent; serum glucose > 120 mg per cent, 7.7 per cent; sedentarism, 37 per cent, and obesity, 17.2 per cent. CONCLUSION--Cigarette smoking was the only risk factor that was taken in account with emphasis by the physicians of Säo Paulo State in order to prevent themselves from cardiovascular disease