1. What is the SCORE2 Risk Calculator?

The SCORE2 (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation 2) calculator estimates the 10-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease in European populations. It incorporates age, sex, systolic blood pressure, non-HDL cholesterol, and smoking status to provide personalized risk assessment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the SCORE2 equation:

Where:

• \( Age \) — Age in years
• \( Sex \) — Biological sex (male/female)
• \( SBP \) — Systolic blood pressure in mmHg
• \( Non-HDL \) — Non-HDL cholesterol in mmol/L
• \( Smoking \) — Current smoking status

Explanation: The SCORE2 algorithm uses sophisticated statistical models to estimate cardiovascular risk based on multiple risk factors and their interactions.

3. Importance of Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Details: Accurate cardiovascular risk assessment is crucial for primary prevention, guiding lifestyle interventions, and determining the need for pharmacological treatments like statins or antihypertensives.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter age in years, select biological sex, provide systolic blood pressure in mmHg, non-HDL cholesterol in mmol/L, and indicate smoking status. All values must be valid and within reasonable physiological ranges.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What populations is SCORE2 validated for?
A: SCORE2 is specifically developed and validated for European populations. Different risk equations may be more appropriate for other ethnic groups.

Q2: What is considered high cardiovascular risk?
A: Generally, 10-year fatal CVD risk ≥5% is considered high, ≥10% is very high, though thresholds may vary by clinical guidelines.

Q3: How often should cardiovascular risk be assessed?
A: Every 5 years in adults over 40, or more frequently if risk factors change significantly.

Q4: What are the limitations of SCORE2?
A: Does not account for family history, diabetes, or other specific conditions. May underestimate risk in certain high-risk subgroups.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for secondary prevention?
A: No, SCORE2 is designed for primary prevention in individuals without established cardiovascular disease.