Assessing (calculating) your cardiovascular health risk
Average rating:
A 'risk factor calculator' is often used by doctors and nurses to predict the health risk for an individual. A score is calculated which takes into account all your risk factors (such as age, sex, smoking status, blood pressure, blood cholesterol level, etc). If you want to know your 'score', see your practice nurse or GP. Current UK guidelines advise that if your score gives you a 2 in 10 risk (or more) of developing a cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years, then treatment is advised.
Treatments may include:
- A drug to lower blood pressure if it is 140/90 mmHg or higher.
- A drug to lower your cholesterol level.
- A daily low dose of aspirin. This reduces the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels over patches of atheroma (which cause strokes and heart attacks).
- Where relevant, to encourage you to tackle 'lifestyle' risk factors such as smoking, lack of physical activity, diet, and weight.
Average rating:
