Calculator

Cardiovascular Risk Calculator v2.0

This calculator was updated to version 2.0 on 31 March 2008. The old version 1.2 calculators remain available here but will no longer be maintained. If you have difficulties using the new calculator, please let us know as soon as possible!

Why all the different calculators?

Until recently, the majority of people probably used the Framingham equation for calculating cardiovascular risk. The Framingham equation has the advantage of allowing calculations over various time periods and for different outcomes (e.g. cardiovascular disease, stroke, death from coronary disease, etc.).

The Joint British Societies guidelines recommend risk stratification based on the probability of cardiovascular disease (as opposed to coronary heart disease or other outcomes). The charts published in the BNF are based on those given in the JBS guidelines, and the BNF calculation option provided is designed to correspond as closely as possible to the official published charts. As such, the LVH and diabetes risk factors originally incorporated in Framingham, are not included in the JBS charts as these patients are automatically considered high risk.

The ASSIGN score was developed in conjunction with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, to address the issue that the Framingham equation may not accurately calculate risk in other populations. ASSIGN is therefore tailored to the Scottish population. It, too, calculates risk of cardiovascular disease, and also includes additional risk factors not used by Framingham (family history and social deprivation).
N.B. As of 24 April 2009, the SIMD deprivation score has been updated to 2006 values to keep in line with the official ASSIGN website. As the 2004 and 2006 scores are highly correlated, most users are unlikely to note a significant change.