A representative randomized sample of 525 men aged 40-59 years was examined in one of the regions of Moscow. The diet was studied by the method of a one-day questionnaire. Coronary heart disease (CHD) was revealed in 59 subjects, arterial hypertension (AH) in 51. Analysis of the means of food consumption and energy sources in subjects with and without CHD showed significant differences to manifest only in less consumption of carbohydrates and calories per kg bw by CHD patients. Application of discriminant analysis showed that age and consumption of carbohydrates per kg bw are informative signs that distinguish CHD patients from subjects without CHD. CHD patients were older and consumed less carbohydrates. Analysis of the means of food consumption and energy sources by AH patients and subjects without AH revealed differences in food cholesterol consumption per kg bw. It appeared to be lower in AH patients. Discriminant analysis demonstrated highly significant differences in the age of the examinees as well as in cholesterol (in mg per kg bw) and refined sugar consumption (in per cent of the energy value). Subjects with AH were older and consumed less food cholesterol and refined sugar, which, in all probability, is linked with a change in the pattern of nutrition caused by illness.