# ASCVD Risk Calculator (Pooled Cohort Equations)

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/cvd-risk/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The ASCVD risk calculator estimates your 10-year risk of a first heart attack or stroke with the 2013 ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equations, using age, sex, race, cholesterol, blood pressure, treatment, diabetes and smoking, and gives the guideline risk category.

## Inputs

- Sex
- Age (years)
- Race
- Total cholesterol (mg/dL, mmol/L)
- HDL cholesterol (mg/dL, mmol/L)
- Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
- On blood pressure treatment
- Diabetes
- Current smoker

## Results

- 10-year ASCVD risk
- Statin discussion (2018 ACC/AHA)

## Formula

```
Risk = 1 − S₀^exp(Σβx − mean), with separate coefficients for white and African-American men and women
Low < 5% · borderline 5–7.4% · intermediate 7.5–19.9% · high ≥ 20%
```

## Explanation

The Pooled Cohort Equations combine data from several large US cohorts and are the basis for statin recommendations in US guidelines. They apply to adults aged 40–79 without existing cardiovascular disease and may overestimate risk in some modern populations.

### How to use the ASCVD Risk Calculator

- **Sex**
- **Age**
- **Race**
- **Total cholesterol**
- **HDL cholesterol**
- **Systolic blood pressure**
- **On blood pressure treatment**
- **Diabetes**
- **Current smoker**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter your details. For people of other ethnic backgrounds, the white equations are generally used.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterSexChoose one: Male, FemaleAgeIn yearsRaceChoose one: White or other, African AmericanTotal cholesterolUnits: mg/dL, mmol/LHDL cholesterolUnits: mg/dL, mmol/LSystolic blood pressureIn mmHgOn blood pressure treatmentChoose one: No, YesDiabetesChoose one: No, YesCurrent smokerChoose one: No, Yes
*Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.*

## Worked example

Inputs — Sex: Male; Age: 55 years; Race: White or other; Total cholesterol: 200 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol: 50 mg/dL; Systolic blood pressure: 130 mmHg; On blood pressure treatment: No; Diabetes: No; Current smoker: No.

Results — **10-year ASCVD risk = 5.7 %**; Statin discussion (2018 ACC/AHA) = Consider statin if risk enhancers present.

## Key terms

- **ASCVD**: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: heart attack, coronary death or stroke.

## FAQ

**What is a high ASCVD risk?**
20% or more over 10 years; 7.5–19.9% is intermediate.

**Why does race matter in the equations?**
The original cohorts showed different risk patterns; newer PREVENT equations remove race.

**Does a low score mean no risk?**
No – lifetime risk can still be high, especially in younger people with risk factors.


## Sources

- [Goff DC Jr et al. 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Circulation, 2014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24222018/)
- [Grundy SM et al. 2018 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of blood cholesterol. Circulation, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30586774/)