Framingham 10-Year Heart Disease Risk Calculator
Estimate your 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease using the Framingham Risk Score — based on age, cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes.
What Is the Framingham Risk Score?
The Framingham Risk Score is one of the most widely used tools in clinical medicine for estimating a person’s 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). It was developed from the long-running Framingham Heart Study — a landmark research project that has followed residents of Framingham, Massachusetts since 1948.
This calculator uses the 2008 point-based version (D’Agostino et al.), which assigns points based on seven risk factors: age, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (with or without treatment), smoking status, and diabetes.
What each variable means:
- Age — Risk increases significantly with age. Scored differently for men vs women.
- Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) — Higher LDL-rich cholesterol raises plaque risk. Normal is below 200 mg/dL.
- HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) — “Good” cholesterol. Higher is protective. Optimal is 60+ mg/dL.
- Systolic BP (mmHg) — The top number in a blood pressure reading. Normal is below 120 mmHg.
- BP Treatment — Being on blood pressure medication adds extra points even at the same reading.
- Smoking — Current smokers have significantly elevated cardiovascular risk.
- Diabetes — Doubles cardiovascular risk independently of other factors.
Risk categories:
| Score | 10-Year Risk | Category |
|---|---|---|
| < 10% | Low | Heart-healthy lifestyle recommended |
| 10% – 20% | Moderate | Lifestyle changes + possible medication |
| > 20% | High | Medical management strongly recommended |
Worked example: A 55-year-old male, total cholesterol 220, HDL 45, systolic BP 130 (untreated), non-smoker, no diabetes → approximately 11% 10-year risk (Moderate).
Limitations: The Framingham score was developed primarily on a white American population and may under- or over-estimate risk in other ethnic groups. It does not account for family history, obesity, physical activity, or inflammatory markers. Always discuss your score with a healthcare provider — this calculator is for educational purposes only.