Use this free tool to estimate your 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk using common QRISK-style factors.
Important: This is an educational estimator, not the official NHS clinical QRISK2/QRISK3 engine. Always discuss your true risk and treatment choices with your GP or practice nurse.
What is the QRISK2 score?
The QRISK2 score is a UK-developed risk model used in primary care to estimate your chance of having a cardiovascular event (such as a heart attack or stroke) over the next 10 years. NHS clinicians often use this type of risk estimate to support decisions about prevention strategies, including lifestyle changes and medicine.
In simple terms, your risk is based on a combination of age, blood pressure, cholesterol balance, smoking status, body weight, medical conditions, and family history. No single number tells the whole story, but the estimate helps guide practical next steps.
How to use this NHS-style QRISK2 calculator
Step-by-step
- Enter your age (this tool is designed for adults aged 25–84).
- Select sex at birth and ethnicity.
- Add smoking status, systolic blood pressure, and cholesterol ratio.
- Enter your BMI.
- Mark whether you have diabetes, CKD, atrial fibrillation, rheumatoid arthritis, blood pressure treatment, or family history.
- Click Calculate 10-Year Risk to see your estimate.
Interpreting your result
Your result is shown as a percentage chance of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years. As a rough framework:
- Below 10%: generally lower risk (but still worth prevention work).
- 10% to 19.9%: moderate risk; discuss prevention plan with your GP.
- 20%+: higher risk; active management is usually recommended.
In NHS practice, a 10-year risk of 10% or more is often used as a threshold for discussing statin treatment, depending on your overall clinical picture.
Why each input matters
Age, sex, and ethnicity
These influence baseline risk because cardiovascular disease patterns differ across populations. Age is one of the strongest drivers of absolute risk.
Blood pressure and cholesterol ratio
Persistently high blood pressure can strain blood vessels over time. Cholesterol ratio (total cholesterol divided by HDL) gives a practical snapshot of lipid balance.
Smoking, BMI, and long-term conditions
Smoking is a major modifiable risk factor. BMI helps approximate body-fat related risk. Conditions such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and atrial fibrillation can significantly raise cardiovascular risk.
What to do if your score is elevated
- Book a GP review to confirm blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes control.
- Stop smoking (this often produces one of the biggest risk reductions).
- Aim for at least 150 minutes/week of moderate activity.
- Improve diet quality: more fibre, vegetables, pulses, oily fish, and less ultra-processed food.
- Reduce salt and alcohol if intake is high.
- Discuss statins and blood pressure treatment if clinically appropriate.
QRISK2 vs QRISK3: what’s the difference?
Many NHS services now use newer models (often QRISK3) that include additional clinical variables. This page provides an NHS-style educational estimate so you can understand your direction of risk before clinical assessment. For diagnosis and prescribing decisions, always rely on your healthcare team using official systems and current guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official NHS calculator?
No. It is an educational tool inspired by QRISK-style logic and common UK risk factors.
Can I use this to start or stop medication?
No. Never start or stop medicines based only on an online estimate. Use your result as a conversation starter with your GP, pharmacist, or nurse.
How often should I check my risk?
Usually after meaningful health changes (e.g., weight loss, smoking cessation, new blood tests) or during routine NHS health checks.