liminfoCV Risk Calculator
Free web tool: CV Risk Calculator
10-Year ASCVD Risk
12.6%
Risk Category
Intermediate
Statin Recommendation
Moderate-to-high intensity statin therapy recommended
Pooled Cohort Equations (2013 ACC/AHA). For clinical reference only.
About CV Risk Calculator
The ASCVD Risk Calculator estimates your 10-year risk of a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event — including fatal or non-fatal heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke — using the 2013 ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equations. You enter seven clinical inputs: age (40–79), biological sex, total cholesterol (mg/dL), HDL cholesterol (mg/dL), systolic blood pressure (mmHg), whether you are currently receiving blood pressure treatment, whether you have diabetes, and whether you are a current smoker. The calculator then produces a percentage risk for both men (using the male-specific coefficient set) and women (using a quadratic age-adjusted model with different coefficients), along with a risk category label and a statin therapy recommendation aligned with ACC/AHA guidelines.
This tool is intended for adults aged 40–79 without pre-existing cardiovascular disease who want to understand their baseline primary prevention risk. Clinicians use the Pooled Cohort Equations as the starting point for shared decision-making about statin therapy: a 10-year risk below 5% is classified as Low (statin generally not recommended on risk alone), 5–7.5% as Borderline (consider moderate-intensity statin), 7.5–20% as Intermediate (moderate-to-high intensity statin recommended), and above 20% as High (high-intensity statin recommended). These thresholds come directly from the 2018 ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines.
The mathematical model implements the exact log-linear regression coefficients published by Goff et al. (2014) for White and African American men and women, using natural logarithms of age, cholesterol, HDL, and systolic blood pressure as predictors. The baseline survival term (0.9144 for men, 0.9665 for women) and centering constants are applied per the original specification. All computation is performed entirely in your browser with no data transmission — your health information never leaves your device.
Key Features
- Implements the 2013 ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equations for primary ASCVD prevention
- Separate sex-specific coefficient models for men and women
- Inputs: age (40-79), total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, BP treatment, diabetes, smoking
- Outputs 10-year ASCVD risk percentage with Low / Borderline / Intermediate / High category
- Statin therapy recommendation aligned with 2018 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline thresholds
- Visual progress bar showing risk level on a gradient scale from green to red
- Validated age range guard — displays an informative message for ages outside 40–79
- Fully client-side processing — sensitive health data never leaves your browser
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ASCVD risk?
ASCVD stands for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary heart disease (heart attacks) and stroke caused by plaque buildup in arteries. The 10-year ASCVD risk is the estimated probability of experiencing a first fatal or non-fatal heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years.
What are the Pooled Cohort Equations?
The Pooled Cohort Equations are a set of sex-specific and race-specific risk prediction models developed by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association in 2013, based on data from multiple large US cohort studies. They use age, sex, total and HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, BP treatment, diabetes, and smoking as predictors.
Who should use this ASCVD risk calculator?
This calculator is designed for adults aged 40–79 without pre-existing cardiovascular disease (no prior heart attack, stroke, or known coronary artery disease) who are evaluating their primary prevention risk. Patients with existing CVD are already in a high-risk category and should discuss treatment with their physician directly.
What do the four risk categories mean?
Low risk (<5%) means statin therapy is generally not warranted based on risk alone. Borderline (5–7.5%) suggests considering moderate-intensity statin, especially with risk-enhancing factors. Intermediate (7.5–20%) supports a discussion about statin therapy. High risk (>20%) indicates high-intensity statin therapy is recommended per ACC/AHA guidelines.
Why does being on blood pressure treatment change my risk estimate?
Blood pressure treatment is associated with a different systolic BP coefficient in the Pooled Cohort Equations because treated hypertension carries a different residual cardiovascular risk profile than untreated hypertension at the same blood pressure reading. The model accounts for this with separate log(SBP) coefficients for treated and untreated patients.
Is this calculator accurate for non-White or non-African American populations?
The original Pooled Cohort Equations were validated primarily in US White and African American adults. Several studies have found the equations may overestimate risk in some populations. This calculator applies the published coefficients without race-specific adjustment. Use results as a discussion starting point with your healthcare provider rather than a definitive risk estimate.
What is the effect of HDL cholesterol on cardiovascular risk?
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is a protective factor in the Pooled Cohort model — higher HDL is associated with lower risk. The model uses ln(HDL) with a negative coefficient combined with an age-interaction term, reflecting that the protective effect of HDL interacts with age in the risk equation.
Can I use this as medical advice?
No. This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. The result is a statistical estimate based on population-level data and does not account for your complete medical history, family history, coronary artery calcium score, or other risk-enhancing factors. Always discuss cardiovascular risk and treatment decisions with a licensed healthcare provider.