ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) 2013 Risk Calculator from AHA/ACC
Determine 10-year risk of hard ASCVD, i.e. myocardial infarction, stroke, or death due to coronary heart disease or stroke.
- This calculator includes inputs based on race. See Quality Rating rationale for more information.
- Learn more about our approach to addressing race and bias on MDCalc.
- Looking for a race-free equation to calculate CVD risk? Check out the new PREVENT score.
- Our ASCVD Risk Algorithm is a step-wise approach for all adult patients – including those with known ASCVD.
- This calculator is for use only in adult patients without known ASCVD and LDL 70-189 mg/dL (1.81-4.90 mmol/L).
When Considering Starting Statins
First, always engage in a clinician-patient discussion of the potential for ASCVD risk reduction, adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, and patient preferences. Consider:
- Potential for ASCVD risk-reduction benefits.
- Potential for adverse effects and drug-drug interactions.
- Heart-healthy lifestyle.
- Management of other risk factors.
- Patient preferences.
When Considering or Using High-Intensity Statins
The guidelines recommend the treating clinician consider:
- Multiple or serious comorbidities, such as impaired renal or hepatic function.
- A history of previous statin intolerance or muscle disorders.
- Unexplained elevated levels of alanine transaminase greater than three times the upper limit of normal.
- Patient characteristics or concomitant use of medications that affect statin metabolism.
- Age older than 75 years.
Remember that the risk of statin-related adverse effects are generally intensity-dependent.
Additional Factors that are ASCVD Risk Enhancers per 2018 American Guidelines
- Family history of premature ASCVD.
- Persistently elevated LDL-C levels at or above 160 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L).
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Conditions specific to women (e.g. preeclampsia, premature menopause).
- Inflammatory diseases (especially rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, HIV).
- Ethnicity (e.g. South Asian ethnicity).
- Persistently elevated triglycerides levels at or above 175 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L).
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And in selected individuals if measured:
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High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels at or above 2.0 mg/L.
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Lp(a) levels above 50 mg/dL (125 nmol/L).
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ApoB at or above 130 mg/dL.
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Ankle-brachial index <0.9.
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When Monitoring Statin Effects and Side Effects
- Assess adherence, response to therapy, and adverse effects within 4 to 12 weeks following statin initiation or change in therapy.
- Measure fasting lipid levels.
- Do not routinely monitor alanine transaminase or creatine kinase levels unless symptomatic.
- Screen and treat type 2 diabetes according to current practice guidelines; heart-healthy lifestyle habits should be encouraged to prevent progression to diabetes.