The Framingham Heart Study has followed residents of Framingham, Massachusetts since 1948 and gave us the concept of “risk factors”. The 2008 general CVD model predicts all major cardiovascular events. Heart age is the age of a person with the same risk but ideal risk factors.
How to use the Framingham Risk Score Calculator
- Sex
- Age
- Systolic blood pressure
- On blood pressure treatment
- Current smoker
- Diabetes
- Total cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter your age, sex, cholesterol, blood pressure, treatment, smoking and diabetes status. The equation applies to adults aged 30–74 without existing cardiovascular disease.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Age | In years |
| Systolic blood pressure | In mmHg |
| On blood pressure treatment | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Current smoker | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Diabetes | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Total cholesterol | Units: mg/dL, mmol/L |
| HDL cholesterol | Units: mg/dL, mmol/L |
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.
Formula
Risk = 1 − S₀^exp(Σβx − mean)
Men: 3.06117·ln age + 1.12370·ln TC − 0.93263·ln HDL + 1.93303·ln SBP (1.99881 if treated) + 0.65451·smoker + 0.57367·diabetes; S₀ = 0.88936, mean 23.9802
Women: 2.32888·ln age + 1.20904·ln TC − 0.70833·ln HDL + 2.76157·ln SBP (2.82263 if treated) + 0.52873·smoker + 0.69154·diabetes; S₀ = 0.95012, mean 26.1931
Worked example
Inputs — Sex: Male; Age: 55 years; Systolic blood pressure: 135 mmHg; On blood pressure treatment: No; Current smoker: No; Diabetes: No; Total cholesterol: 200 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol: 50 mg/dL.
Results — 10-year cardiovascular disease risk = 11.9 %; Heart (vascular) age = 58 years; Heart age minus real age = 3 years.
Key terms
- CVD
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Heart age
- Vascular age equivalent to your risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is a high Framingham risk?
20% or more over 10 years; 10–19% is intermediate.
What is heart age?
The age of someone with the same risk but healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and no smoking or diabetes.
How can I lower my risk?
Stop smoking, control blood pressure and cholesterol, stay active and keep a healthy weight.