Artery Risk Factor Count
The Framingham study's "heart age" is also described by its authors as a vascular age; our Heart Age Calculator uses that published equation with measured values. This page does not estimate a vascular age. It counts artery risk factors for people who don't have their cholesterol numbers to hand.
Before you start
Method : Artery 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, sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech or a drooping face 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 in clinic.
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 used measured blood pressure and cholesterol but combined them with made-up year adjustments rather than a published equation. Measured values now go to the Framingham Heart Age Calculator; this page keeps a simple risk-factor count.
| Factor | Answer | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Most recent blood pressure | 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 | |
| Cholesterol | Told it's healthy | 0 |
| Told it's high | +1 | |
| Never checked | +1 | |
| Diabetes | No | 0 |
| Yes | +2 | |
| Waist more than half your height | No / don't know | 0 |
| Yes | +1 | |
| Moderate activity per week | 150+ minutes | 0 |
| Under 150 minutes | +1 | |
| Little or none | +2 |
Worked examples
140/90+, smokes, high cholesterol, diabetes, waist over half height, little activity: 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = +11 points.
Below 120/80, never smoked, healthy cholesterol, no diabetes, waist under half height, 150+ minutes: 0 points.
Understanding your result
This counts risk factors you reported. It is not a vascular measurement, not a risk percentage and not an age. Health-agency guidance linked below is general and based on populations, not on this score.
Sources & further reading
- D'Agostino RB Sr, et al. General cardiovascular risk profile for use in primary care: the Framingham Heart Study. Circulation 2008;117(6):743-753.
- NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension).
The points table is our own convention and is not taken from these sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
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