Your 10-year ASCVD risk is used to help decide if you need medication to help lower your blood pressure (BP). ASCVD means atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These are serious diseases such as heart attack, heart failure, clogged arteries, and stroke. Your ASCVD risk is how likely people like you (of the same age, sex, and risk factors) are to develop this type of disease.

BP-lowering medication is recommended if you have Stage 1 high BP (130/80 mm Hg to <140/90 mm Hg) AND a 10-year ASCVD risk of 10% or more.

ASCVD Risk and High Blood Pressure Treatment

The hope is that earlier treatment of mild high BP will prevent serious disease in more people. Preventing these diseases is the main reason to lower your BP.

Your doctor can calculate your ASCVD risk. There is also an easy-to-use online calculator found here: ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus.

You can prevent high BP and lower your ASCVD risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle. But some people need medication to get their BP down.

Your ASCVD risk can help you see if medication is right for your high BP!