PREVENT Calculator: Measure Your Heart Disease Risk Over The Next 10 Years

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The PREVENT calculator is a tool developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) to estimate the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) over a 10-year period and across the lifespan.

It offers an accurate and equitable tool for clinicians to assess cardiovascular risk and guide preventive care, such as lifestyle changes or medication (e.g., statins).

The calculator was introduced in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA PREVENT Calculator Study).

The study using the PREVENT calculator used data from over 3 million adults in the U.S. and showed improved performance compared to older models like the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE).

• Designed for adults aged 30–79 years without existing ASCVD.
• Provides both 10-year and 30-year (lifetime) risk estimates for ASCVD, which can help guide long-term prevention strategies.
• Avoids using race as a biological variable, focusing instead on social determinants of health to address disparities in risk prediction.

Interpretation of Results

The results of the PREVENT calculator indicate the 10-year and lifetime ASCVD risk scores:

10-Year ASCVD Risk:

• Low Risk: < 5%
  (The person has a low likelihood of experiencing a cardiovascular event in the next 10 years.)
• Borderline Risk: 5% to < 7.5%
  (The person has a moderate likelihood; consider lifestyle changes and monitoring.)
• Intermediate Risk: 7.5% to < 20%
  (The person has a higher likelihood; consider lifestyle changes and possibly medications like statins.)
• High Risk: ≥ 20%
  (The person has a very high likelihood; aggressive prevention strategies are recommended.)

Lifetime (30-year) ASCVD Risk:

• Low Risk: < 30%
  (The person has a low likelihood of experiencing a cardiovascular event over their lifetime.)
• Intermediate Risk: 30% to < 50%
  (The person has a moderate likelihood; focus on long-term prevention strategies.)
• High Risk: ≥ 50%
  (The person has a very high likelihood; prioritize aggressive long-term prevention strategies.)

An Example Scenario

Case: A 55-year-old male with the following inputs:

• Systolic BP: 140 mmHg (on medication)
• Total cholesterol: 220 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol: 45 mg/dL
• Diabetes: No
• Smoker: Yes
• eGFR: 85 mL/min/1.73 m²
• UACR: 15 mg/g
• Education: College graduate

The PREVENT calculator might estimate:

• 10-year ASCVD risk: 12% (Intermediate Risk)
• Lifetime ASCVD risk: 45% (Intermediate Risk)

Interpretation:

• This person has a moderate risk of cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years and over their lifetime.
• They should focus on lifestyle changes (e.g., quitting smoking, improving their diet, exercising) and may benefit from discussing statin therapy with their doctor.

PREVENT Calculator

The PREVENT calculator is intended for primary prevention, for individuals between the ages of 30–79 years who do not yet have coronary heart disease, stroke, or heart failure.

• Original Source: The AHA PREVENT Calculator.

Consult your medical doctor to discuss your results.

Final Words

A new 2025 study using the PREVENT calculator found that 15 million US adults are at risk of heart failure (HF).

Some other known risk factors for early mortality and heart disease:

• Poor diet.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Sedentary (no exercise) lifestyle.
• A history of chronic stress, depression, or anxiety.
• Less than 7 hours of sleep per night or have a diagnosed sleep disorder (e.g., sleep apnea).
• A family history of premature cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart attack or stroke in a parent or sibling before age 55 for males or 65 for females).