The ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) risk score estimates your 10-year risk of having a major cardiac event, such as a heart attack or stroke. This tool uses the Pooled Cohort Equations, which consider multiple biological and lifestyle factors to provide a percentage-based risk profile.
How the Calculation Works
This calculator looks at key indicators that contribute to arterial plaque buildup:
Age & Sex: Risk naturally increases as you age, and biological sex influences hormonal protection levels.
Cholesterol Ratios: Total cholesterol should be balanced by high levels of HDL (the "good" cholesterol).
Blood Pressure: High systolic pressure damages arterial walls over time, making them prone to blockages.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking and Diabetes significantly accelerate vascular damage, often doubling or tripling risk scores.
Risk Category Breakdown
Risk Level
Score Range
Low Risk
Less than 5.0%
Borderline Risk
5.0% to 7.4%
Intermediate Risk
7.5% to 19.9%
High Risk
20% or Higher
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a physician or cardiologist before making health or medication decisions.
function calculateCardiacRisk() {
var age = parseFloat(document.getElementById('age').value);
var sex = document.getElementById('sex').value;
var race = document.getElementById('race').value;
var totalChol = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalChol').value);
var hdlChol = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hdlChol').value);
var sbp = parseFloat(document.getElementById('systolicBP').value);
var smoker = document.getElementById('isSmoker').checked ? 1 : 0;
var diabetes = document.getElementById('hasDiabetes').checked ? 1 : 0;
var bpMeds = document.getElementById('onBPMeds').checked ? 1 : 0;
if (isNaN(age) || age 79) {
alert("Please enter an age between 20 and 79.");
return;
}
var lnAge = Math.log(age);
var lnTotalChol = Math.log(totalChol);
var lnHdl = Math.log(hdlChol);
var lnSbp = Math.log(sbp);
var s0 = 0;
var meanTerms = 0;
var sumTerms = 0;
// Pooled Cohort Equation Coefficients (Simplified for standard implementation)
if (race === 'white') {
if (sex === 'female') {
s0 = 0.96652;
meanTerms = -29.18;
sumTerms = (-29.799 * lnAge) + (4.884 * Math.pow(lnAge, 2)) + (13.540 * lnTotalChol) +
(-3.114 * lnAge * lnTotalChol) + (-13.578 * lnHdl) + (3.149 * lnAge * lnHdl) +
(bpMeds ? 2.019 * lnSbp : 1.957 * lnSbp) + (0.661 * diabetes) + (7.574 * smoker) + (-1.665 * lnAge * smoker);
} else {
s0 = 0.91446;
meanTerms = 61.18;
sumTerms = (12.344 * lnAge) + (11.853 * lnTotalChol) + (-2.664 * lnAge * lnTotalChol) +
(-7.990 * lnHdl) + (1.769 * lnAge * lnHdl) + (bpMeds ? 1.996 * lnSbp : 1.764 * lnSbp) +
(0.658 * diabetes) + (7.837 * smoker) + (-1.795 * lnAge * smoker);
}
} else {
// African American Coefficients
if (sex === 'female') {
s0 = 0.9533;
meanTerms = 86.61;
sumTerms = (17.114 * lnAge) + (0.940 * lnTotalChol) + (-18.920 * lnHdl) + (4.475 * lnAge * lnHdl) +
(bpMeds ? 29.061 * lnSbp : 28.281 * lnSbp) + (-6.087 * lnAge * (bpMeds ? lnSbp : lnSbp)) +
(0.691 * diabetes) + (0.630 * smoker);
} else {
s0 = 0.8954;
meanTerms = 19.54;
sumTerms = (2.469 * lnAge) + (0.302 * lnTotalChol) + (-0.307 * lnHdl) +
(bpMeds ? 1.916 * lnSbp : 1.809 * lnSbp) + (0.645 * diabetes) + (0.549 * smoker);
}
}
var risk = 1 – Math.pow(s0, Math.exp(sumTerms – meanTerms));
var percent = (risk * 100).toFixed(1);
var resultBox = document.getElementById('riskResult');
var scoreText = document.getElementById('riskScorePercent');
var categoryText = document.getElementById('riskCategory');
var adviceText = document.getElementById('riskAdvice');
resultBox.style.display = "block";
scoreText.innerText = percent + "%";
if (percent < 5) {
resultBox.style.backgroundColor = "#e8f5e9";
scoreText.style.color = "#2e7d32";
categoryText.innerText = "Low Risk";
adviceText.innerText = "Keep up a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet.";
} else if (percent < 7.5) {
resultBox.style.backgroundColor = "#fff3e0";
scoreText.style.color = "#ef6c00";
categoryText.innerText = "Borderline Risk";
adviceText.innerText = "Discuss lifestyle modifications and risk factors with your doctor.";
} else if (percent < 20) {
resultBox.style.backgroundColor = "#fff3e0";
scoreText.style.color = "#ef6c00";
categoryText.innerText = "Intermediate Risk";
adviceText.innerText = "Statin therapy and intensive lifestyle changes are often recommended at this level.";
} else {
resultBox.style.backgroundColor = "#ffebee";
scoreText.style.color = "#c62828";
categoryText.innerText = "High Risk";
adviceText.innerText = "Immediate consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended to manage risk factors.";
}
}
The Importance of Monitoring Your Heart Health Score
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally. However, many cardiovascular events are preventable through early detection and management of risk factors. The ASCVD Risk Estimator used above is based on the 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk.
Key Factors That Influence Your Cardiac Risk
While some factors like age and race are unchangeable, many variables in this calculation are within your control. Understanding how they interact is the first step toward better heart health.
1. Blood Pressure Management
A systolic blood pressure (the top number) consistently above 130 mmHg indicates hypertension. This pressure forces your heart to work harder and damages the lining of your arteries, making it easier for cholesterol to form dangerous plaques.
2. The Cholesterol Balance
It is not just about "Total Cholesterol." The ratio between your HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and non-HDL cholesterol is crucial. HDL helps transport fat away from the arteries and back to the liver for excretion. A higher HDL level actually lowers your risk score.
3. The Impact of Diabetes
High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes are often classified as having a high risk even if their other numbers appear normal, simply because of the systemic inflammation caused by the condition.
Realistic Example Scenarios
Consider two different individuals to see how small changes impact the 10-year risk:
Patient A: 55-year-old male, non-smoker, BP 125, Total Cholesterol 180, HDL 45. Estimated Risk: ~5.2% (Borderline).
Patient B: 55-year-old male, Smoker, BP 145, Total Cholesterol 220, HDL 35. Estimated Risk: ~18.5% (Intermediate/High).
By simply quitting smoking and managing blood pressure, Patient B could potentially cut their risk in half within a few years.
Actionable Steps to Lower Your Risk
Adopt the Mediterranean Diet: Rich in healthy fats, lean proteins, and plenty of fiber.
150 Minutes of Movement: Brisk walking or cycling for 30 minutes, five days a week, significantly improves cardiovascular efficiency.
Know Your Numbers: Regularly check your lipids and glucose levels with a healthcare provider.
Stress Reduction: Chronic stress increases cortisol and blood pressure, contributing to long-term cardiac strain.