The aim is to assess socio-occupational (SO) class differences in incident coronary and stroke. Methods. In a prospective fixed-cohort study 2959 35-74 year old men free from coronary (CHD) and stroke events were recruited in four population-based cohorts from 1986 to 1994 and followed-up until the end of 2002 to ascertain first CHD and stroke events. At baseline, major cardiovascular risk factors were investigated according to a standardised protocol. SO classes were based on current or last employment. Age-adjusted and multi-factors-adjusted risk ratios (RR) and 95% CI were calculated from Poisson regression models. Results. In 11-year median follow-up, the cohorts accumulated 33,926 person-years and generated 168 first major CHD events and 56 stroke events. Non-manual workers showed the lowest incident rates of both endpoints, and were considered as the reference category. Higher relative risks of CHD events were foundfor lower administrators and professionals, unskilled manual workers (UMW) and self-employed. Higher relative risks of stroke were found for skilled manual workers and UMW. Higher relative risks of CVD (either CHD or stroke) were found for lower administrators and professionals, skilled and unskilled manual workers and self-employed. Adjustments for major risk factors (cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, diabetes) did not modify the RRs. Conclusion. The higher risk of major cardiovascular events among lower SO classes is confirmed. Higher relative risks of CHD among lower administrators and professionals, and self-employers were also found. Further studies are needed to assess the etiologic role of job stress conditions.