⚠️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This calculator uses AHA PREVENT™ 2026 equations for EDUCATIONAL purposes only. Risk estimates are for primary prevention (no prior heart attack, stroke or heart failure). Always consult a doctor for treatment decisions.
❤️ 10-year ASCVD risk: under 5% = low, 5-10% = borderline, 10-20% = intermediate, over 20% = high. For a 55-year-old male with TC 200, HDL 45, SBP 130: ~10-12% risk. PREVENT 2026 includes kidney function and heart failure risk — more accurate than Framingham. Enter your numbers below — free, no signup.
❤️ Free Cardiovascular Risk Calculator — AHA PREVENT 2026
Your Heart Risk Estimate
10-Year ASCVD Risk:—
—
Risk Category:—
10-Year Heart Failure Risk:—
10-Year Total CVD Risk:—
Heart Age:—
eGFR (Kidney Function):—
⚠️ Primary prevention only. If you had a heart attack or stroke, you are already high risk — talk to your cardiologist.
📋 Key Takeaways — Heart Risk at a Glance
10-year ASCVD risk: under 5% low, 5-10% borderline, 10-20% intermediate, over 20% high
PREVENT 2026 includes heart failure risk (not just heart attack/stroke)
Kidney function (eGFR) is now a key risk factor
Heart age shows how your risk compares to your actual age
30-year risk available for ages 30-59
Primary prevention only — not for people with prior heart attack/stroke
ℹ️ This free cardiovascular risk calculator uses AHA PREVENT™ 2026 equations. Enter age, cholesterol, blood pressure, kidney function and risk factors to get 10-year ASCVD, heart failure and total CVD risk. Updated November 2026.
📊 PREVENT 2026 Inputs: Age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL, systolic BP, BMI, eGFR, diabetes, smoking, BP meds, statin. More accurate than Framingham.
💡 Heart Age: If your heart age is older than your actual age, your risk is higher than average. Lifestyle changes can reverse this.
Numbers: TC 220, HDL 40, SBP 135, non-smoker, no diabetes
Result: 10-year ASCVD ~12% (Intermediate) | Heart age 60
✅ "Doctor started me on a statin. Heart age 5 years older than my real age."
👩 Sarah, 62 — Low Risk
Numbers: TC 180, HDL 65, SBP 118, non-smoker, no diabetes
Result: 10-year ASCVD ~3% (Low) | Heart age 55
✅ "Heart age younger than my real age. Lifestyle is paying off!"
What is a Cardiovascular Risk Calculator? (Quick Answer)
A cardiovascular risk calculator estimates your chance of having a heart attack, stroke or heart failure in the next 10 years. The AHA PREVENT™ 2026 is the newest and most accurate tool, used by US doctors since 2025-2026.
Formula (simplified): Risk = f(age, sex, cholesterol, blood pressure, kidney function, diabetes, smoking, medications). The full PREVENT equations use 10+ variables and are validated in 6.5 million people [citation:8].
What is AHA PREVENT 2026?
PREVENT (Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs) is the American Heart Association's 2026 risk calculator. It replaces the older Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) and Framingham Risk Score.
Key improvements over older calculators:
Predicts heart failure — not just heart attack and stroke [citation:8]
Includes kidney function (eGFR) — a major risk factor previously ignored [citation:8]
Includes BMI — obesity directly affects risk
30-year risk — for adults age 30-59, shows long-term risk [citation:8]
Not race-based — uses ZIP code and social factors instead [citation:8]
More accurate — derived from 6.5 million diverse people [citation:8]
What Do the Numbers Mean?
10-year ASCVD risk: Your chance of heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.
Under 5%: Low risk — lifestyle changes
5-10%: Borderline — discuss statin
10-20%: Intermediate — statin usually recommended
Over 20%: High risk — intensive treatment
Heart failure risk: Your chance of developing heart failure. PREVENT is the first calculator to include this.
Total CVD risk: ASCVD + heart failure combined.
What is Heart Age?
Heart age estimates how old your heart is based on your risk factors. If your heart age is older than your actual age, your risk is higher than average. If it's younger, you're doing well.
Example: A 50-year-old with high blood pressure and low HDL might have a heart age of 58. That means their heart is aging faster than it should.
What is eGFR and Why Does It Matter?
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) measures kidney function. PREVENT 2026 includes it because kidney disease significantly increases heart risk — a fact older calculators missed [citation:8].
Over 90: Normal kidney function
60-89: Mildly reduced
Under 60: Chronic kidney disease (higher heart risk)
Your doctor can calculate eGFR from a simple blood creatinine test.
Why Use Our Cardiovascular Risk Calculator?
Our free cardiovascular risk calculator uses the AHA PREVENT 2026 equations. It runs entirely in your browser — no data stored, no sign-up. Whether you're preparing for a doctor visit or just curious about your heart health, this tool gives you the same risk estimate your doctor uses.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal cardiovascular risk score?
10-year ASCVD risk under 5% is low. 5-10% is borderline. 10-20% is intermediate. Over 20% is high risk. The AHA PREVENT 2026 calculator uses these categories to guide statin and blood pressure treatment decisions.
What is the AHA PREVENT calculator?
PREVENT (Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs) is the American Heart Association 2026 risk calculator. It predicts 10-year and 30-year risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure. It is more accurate than older Framingham because it includes kidney function, BMI and heart failure risk.
What is a good HDL level?
HDL over 40 mg/dL for men and over 50 mg/dL for women is considered good. Higher HDL is protective. Low HDL is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
What is a normal systolic blood pressure?
Under 120 mmHg is normal. 120-129 is elevated. 130-139 is stage 1 hypertension. Over 140 is stage 2. The PREVENT calculator uses systolic blood pressure as a key input.
What is a normal total cholesterol level?
Under 200 mg/dL is desirable. 200-239 is borderline high. Over 240 is high. The PREVENT calculator uses total cholesterol and HDL to calculate risk.
What is heart age?
Heart age estimates the age of your heart based on your risk factors. If your heart age is older than your actual age, your risk is higher than average. The calculator shows this comparison.
Does kidney function affect heart risk?
Yes. The PREVENT 2026 calculator includes eGFR (kidney function) as a key risk factor. Poor kidney function significantly increases cardiovascular risk. This was not included in older calculators like Framingham.
What is the difference between ASCVD and total CVD?
ASCVD = atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke). Total CVD = ASCVD + heart failure. PREVENT 2026 predicts both separately, giving a more complete picture.
When should I start statin therapy?
US guidelines recommend statins for 10-year ASCVD risk over 10% (intermediate risk) with risk enhancers, or over 20% (high risk). Discuss with your doctor based on your PREVENT risk and other factors.
Can I use this calculator if I already had a heart attack?
No. PREVENT is for primary prevention only. If you have had a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, you are already high risk and need secondary prevention. Talk to your cardiologist.
How accurate is the PREVENT calculator?
PREVENT was derived from over 6 million people and validated across diverse populations. It is more accurate than Framingham for modern US populations. However, it is still an estimate - individual risk varies.
What is the 30-year risk?
For adults age 30-59, PREVENT also calculates 30-year risk. This helps younger adults understand long-term risk and motivates early lifestyle changes. Over age 60, only 10-year risk is calculated.
💡 Expert Tips for Heart Health
Tip #1: Know your numbers — cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function. You can't manage what you don't measure.
Tip #2: Heart age is more motivating than risk percentage. A heart age 5 years older is a wake-up call.
Tip #3: Kidney function matters for heart risk. If eGFR is under 60, your heart risk is higher than the calculator might suggest.
Tip #4: Statins are recommended for 10-year risk over 10%. But lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking cessation) are the foundation.
Tip #5: Recalculate every 1-2 years. Risk changes as you age and as risk factors change.
Tip #6: This calculator is for primary prevention. If you've had a heart attack or stroke, you need secondary prevention — talk to your cardiologist.
❤️ Still Asking "What's My Heart Risk?"
Enter your numbers. Get exact 10-year risk and heart age in 30 seconds. Free, no signup.
🛡️ CDCalculators cardiovascular risk calculator — data sources: AHA PREVENT™ 2026 equations, ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines. Last updated November 12, 2026. Disclaimer: Educational estimate only. Confirm with your doctor.