What is cardiovascular risk?

Cardiovascular risk is the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke over the next 5-10 years. It is calculated using factors including age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status, diabetes, and family history. In Australia, the absolute cardiovascular risk assessment is recommended for all adults aged 45+ (or 35+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

Heart Age is a way of expressing your cardiovascular risk as an age. If your Heart Age is higher than your actual age, it means your risk factors are making your heart work as if it were older. For example, a 50-year-old with high blood pressure and high cholesterol might have a Heart Age of 62. Heart Age is calculated by finding the age at which a person with ideal risk factors would have the same cardiovascular risk as you.

What blood pressure is too high?

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. Elevated is 120-129 systolic with under 80 diastolic. Stage 1 hypertension is 130-139 or 80-89. Stage 2 is 140+ or 90+. A single high reading does not mean you have hypertension — your GP will want to confirm with repeated measurements.

Heart Age & CVD Risk Calculator

Find your Heart Age and estimated 5-year cardiovascular risk. Enter results from a recent blood test.

📋 Source: Framingham Risk Equation as used in the Australian Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk Guidelines (NVDPA, 2012). Endorsed by the Heart Foundation and RACGP.
Your doctor or healthcare provider knows your history and circumstances — always follow their personalised advice over general information.

You'll need recent blood test results. This calculator uses your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and blood pressure — numbers your GP can provide from a recent health check.

Age (45–74)

Sex

Male Female

Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)

The top number on your BP reading

Total cholesterol (mmol/L)

HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

The "good" cholesterol

Do you currently smoke?

Yes No

Do you have diabetes?

Yes No

Are you currently taking blood pressure medication?

Yes No

The number represents the estimated chance (as a percentage) of having a cardiovascular event (heart attack or stroke) in the next 5 years, based on the Framingham Risk Equation adapted for Australian use.

Low risk (<5%): Less than a 1 in 20 chance over 5 years. Continue healthy lifestyle habits. Reassess every 2 years.

Moderate risk (5–9%): Your GP may discuss lifestyle changes and monitoring. Medication may be considered depending on individual factors.

High risk (≥10%): Guidelines recommend discussing medication (statins, blood pressure medication) alongside lifestyle changes with your GP.

Certain conditions automatically place you in the high-risk category regardless of the calculated score: existing heart disease, diabetes with kidney disease (eGFR <45 or albuminuria), familial hypercholesterolaemia, chronic kidney disease, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 35+.

The modifiable risk factors are:

Your GP may discuss the following modifiable risk factors with you:

Smoking — stopping smoking is associated with rapid and substantial cardiovascular risk reduction
Blood pressure — target levels and whether lifestyle changes or medication are appropriate for your situation
Cholesterol — dietary approaches and whether medication may be indicated
Blood sugar — if diabetes is present, HbA1c targets and monitoring

This tool provides a statistical risk estimate — not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Your GP will consider your full history before recommending any intervention.

Exercise — at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (walking counts).

Healthy diet — more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish. Less processed food, saturated fat, salt, and sugar.

Limit alcohol — no more than 10 standard drinks per week.

This calculator uses the Framingham Risk Equation as recommended in the Australian absolute cardiovascular disease risk guidelines. It estimates 5-year risk of a cardiovascular event (heart attack or stroke) for adults aged 45–74 (or 35+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples).

Heart Age is calculated by finding the age at which a person with ideal risk factors (non-smoker, no diabetes, no blood pressure medication, total cholesterol 4.5 mmol/L, HDL 1.6 mmol/L, systolic BP 120 mmHg) would have the same 10-year Framingham risk as you. If your Heart Age is higher than your actual age, your risk factors are ageing your heart faster than expected.

It is the same risk formula used in the Australian CVD risk calculator endorsed by the Heart Foundation, RACGP, and the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance.

The calculator does not replace clinical assessment. Your GP considers additional factors including family history, ethnicity, kidney function, atrial fibrillation, socioeconomic factors, and medications.

Heart Age & CVD Risk Calculator

Your inputs