Cardiovascular risk refers to the probability that an individual will develop a cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Cardiovascular risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and a family history of heart disease.

Assessing cardiovascular risk involves evaluating an individual’s risk factors and calculating their overall risk score. This score is typically based on factors such as age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and family history. The calculated risk score can then be used to guide interventions such as lifestyle modifications or medication therapy to reduce the individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

It is important to note that while cardiovascular risk can be estimated, it is not a guarantee that an individual will or will not develop cardiovascular disease. Managing cardiovascular risk through healthy lifestyle choices and appropriate medical treatment can help reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and improve overall health outcomes.