Heart Risk Factor Count
Real heart-age and heart-risk estimates use validated equations with measured blood pressure and cholesterol, such as the NHS Heart Age Test. This page does not estimate a heart age or your risk. It counts well-known risk factors so you can see which ones to act on.
Before you start
Method : Heart Risk Factor Count — a custom points score written by this site. Each answer adds or subtracts the points shown in the Methodology table below.
Validation : Unvalidated. The points have never been tested against any laboratory measurement or health outcome, and the result is not an age.
Review : not reviewed by a qualified clinician. Educational only — not a diagnosis or a medical test.
Chest pain, pressure or tightness, especially with breathlessness or sweating, is an emergency — call emergency services.
Your answers stay in this browser tab; nothing is sent or stored.
NHS: high is 140/90 or higher when checked by a professional (135/85 at home).
Answer the questions, then press Calculate score.
How to Use This Calculator
- Answer each question.
- Press Calculate score.
- Read the breakdown and suggestions.
Methodology & assumptions
Your score is the sum of the points below. The weights are our own judgement. The old version added made-up years to your age for each risk factor and called the result a cardiovascular age. Validated equations exist for this; ours was not one, so the age output was removed and the page points to the NHS Heart Age Test.
| Factor | Answer | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Most recent blood pressure reading | Below 120/80 | 0 |
| 120/80 to under 140/90 | +1 | |
| 140/90 or higher | +2 | |
| Not checked in 5 years | +1 | |
| Smoking | Never | 0 |
| Former | +1 | |
| Current | +3 | |
| Diabetes | No | 0 |
| Yes | +2 | |
| Cholesterol | Told it's healthy | 0 |
| Told it's high | +1 | |
| Never checked | +1 | |
| Parent or sibling with heart attack or stroke before 60 | No / don't know | 0 |
| Yes | +1 | |
| Body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) | Under 25 | 0 |
| 25–29.9 | +1 | |
| 30 or more | +2 | |
| Physical activity | 150+ minutes a week | 0 |
| Some, under 150 minutes | +1 | |
| Little or none | +2 |
Worked examples
Blood pressure 140/90+, smokes, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history, BMI 31, little activity: 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = +13 points.
Blood pressure below 120/80, never smoked, no diabetes, healthy cholesterol, no family history, BMI 23, 150+ minutes a week: 0 points.
Understanding your result
This counts risk factors you reported. It is not a validated risk score, not a percentage risk and not an age. For a validated estimate, use the NHS Heart Age Test or ask your doctor. Health-agency guidance linked below is general and based on populations, not on this score.
Sources & further reading
- NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension).
- NHS. Heart Age Test (validated calculator).
- NHS. Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64.
The points table is our own convention and is not taken from these sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
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