PREVENT Calculator: Measure Your Heart Disease Risk Today

• Mar 3, 2025 • Read in ~7 mins

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.

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.

• Source: The AHA PREVENT Calculator.

• Always consult your medical doctor to discuss your results.

Interpretation of Results

The results of the PREVENT calculator indicate the 10-year and lifetime atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (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.)

30-year (Lifetime) 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.)

Example Scenario

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

• 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

PREVENT calculator risk 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.

Risk Factors for Early Mortality and Heart Disease:

1. Smoking or tobacco use – Tar and other chemicals in tobacco damage blood vessels and accelerate atherosclerosis.
2. Alcohol – Alcohol (even an occasional alcoholic drink) damages the heart muscle and raises blood pressure.
3. Sedentary (no exercise) lifestyle – Lack of physical activity contributes to obesity, hypertension, and poor lipid profiles.
4. Less than 7 hours of sleep per night – Less than 7 hours of sleep per night, poor sleep quality, or sleep disorders like sleep apnea disrupt heart rhythm and increase blood pressure.
5. Poor diet – Diets high in processed foods, saturated fats, and sugars, or low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, increase cardiovascular risk.
6. History of chronic stress, depression, or anxiety – These mental health conditions elevate cortisol and inflammation, straining the cardiovascular system.
7. Family history of premature cardiovascular disease – Genetic predisposition (e.g., heart attack or stroke in a parent or sibling before age 55 for males or 65 for females) heightens risk.
8. High blood pressure (hypertension) – High systolic blood (SBP) pressure is a leading global health risk, especially in those with 140 mm Hg or higher. This 2015 study estimated at least 874 million adults had SBP ≥140 mm Hg. Uncontrolled hypertension overworks the heart and weakens arteries.
9. Elevated cholesterol levels (dyslipidemia) – High LDL ("bad") cholesterol or low HDL ("good") cholesterol promotes plaque buildup in arteries.
10. Obesity or excess body weight – Excess fat, especially around the abdomen, increases strain on the heart and worsens other risk factors like diabetes. (Read this Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, 2021).
11. Diabetes or poor blood sugar control – High glucose levels damage blood vessels and accelerate heart disease progression.

These factors interact and compound over time, making early identification and management critical. For instance, smoking amplifies the damage from high cholesterol, while stress can worsen hypertension.

Final Words

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

---

√ Also Read: Debunking The Myth of Healthy Alcohol: Read The Facts

√ Please share it with someone if you found this helpful.