Framingham Risk Score Calculator

Estimate your 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease using the Framingham Risk Score algorithm based on key risk factors.

Enter your age in years (30-74)
Total cholesterol level in mg/dL
HDL (good) cholesterol level in mg/dL
Systolic blood pressure (top number) in mmHg
Check if you currently smoke cigarettes
Check if you have been diagnosed with diabetes

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your age and select your gender
  2. Input your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels from recent blood tests
  3. Enter your systolic blood pressure and indicate if you're on BP medication
  4. Check the boxes if you're a current smoker or have diabetes
  5. Click Calculate to see your 10-year cardiovascular disease risk

Formula Used

Risk Score = β0 + Σ(βi × Xi)

Where:

  • β0 = Baseline value (different for men and women)
  • βi = Coefficient for each risk factor
  • Xi = Value of each risk factor (age, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.)
  • 10-Year Risk = 1 - (Baseline Survival)^exp(Risk Score - Mean Risk Score)

Example Calculation

Real-World Scenario:

A 55-year-old male wants to assess his cardiovascular risk before starting an exercise program.

Given:

  • Age = 55 years
  • Gender = Male
  • Total Cholesterol = 220 mg/dL
  • HDL Cholesterol = 40 mg/dL
  • Systolic BP = 140 mmHg
  • BP Treatment = Yes
  • Smoker = No
  • Diabetes = No

Calculation:

Using the Framingham algorithm with the male coefficients for each risk factor, the risk score is calculated and converted to a percentage.

Result: 16% 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease, classified as high risk

Why This Calculation Matters

Practical Applications

  • Guides preventive treatment decisions
  • Helps prioritize lifestyle modifications
  • Assists in statin therapy eligibility

Key Benefits

  • Provides objective risk assessment
  • Motivates patients to improve risk factors
  • Standardized approach across healthcare

Common Mistakes & Tips

The Framingham Risk Score was validated using fasting lipid measurements. Using non-fasting values can lead to inaccurate risk assessment. If you only have non-fasting values, consider getting a fasting lipid panel for the most accurate calculation.

The Framingham Risk Score is validated for adults aged 30-74. It's not accurate for younger or older individuals. For patients under 30, focus on lifestyle prevention. For those over 74, other risk assessment tools may be more appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 10-year cardiovascular risk of 20% or higher is considered high risk. A risk between 10-19% is considered intermediate risk, and below 10% is considered low risk. These categories help guide treatment decisions, particularly regarding statin therapy.

It's recommended to recalculate your Framingham Risk Score annually or whenever there are significant changes to your risk factors, such as starting or stopping blood pressure medication, changes in cholesterol levels, or smoking status changes.

The Framingham Risk Score is one of the original cardiovascular risk assessment tools. Newer calculators like the ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equations incorporate additional risk factors and may be more accurate for certain populations. However, Framingham remains widely used and validated, particularly in clinical practice.

References & Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer

This Framingham Risk Score Calculator is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The results are estimates and should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare provider who can consider additional factors not included in this calculator.

References

Accuracy Notice

This calculator implements the standard Framingham Risk Score algorithm but may not account for all individual risk factors. The accuracy depends on the precision of input values. This calculator is not validated for use in patients with existing cardiovascular disease or certain high-risk conditions.

About the Author

Kumaravel Madhavan

Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.

Connect with LinkedIn

Tags:

health medical-clinical-calculators framingham risk score medical body