Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is calculated using two established clinical risk models: the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Profile and the American Heart Association (AHA) PREVENT equations.
The Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Profile estimates 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure. It uses age, sex, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood-pressure treatment, diabetes status, and smoking. (D’Agostino et al., Circulation, 2008)
The AHA PREVENT equations were developed and validated in more than 6 million adults. They estimate 10-year risk of total cardiovascular disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and heart failure. They add kidney function to traditional risk factors and do not use race as a variable. (Khan et al., Circulation, 2024)
Using both models together pairs a long-established reference model with the AHA’s newer equations, built from a large, contemporary, and diverse population. This gives a more balanced assessment of cardiovascular risk.
The two models weigh risk factors differently, particularly kidney function, so their estimates can differ. (Mancini & Ryomoto, JACC: Advances, 2024)
