Understanding Your Heart Disease Risk Score
If you’ve recently had a health check or spoken with your GP about your heart health, you may have heard the term "QRISK". But what is a QRISK, and why does it matter?
Simply put, QRISK is a clinical tool used by healthcare professionals in the UK to estimate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the next 10 years. This includes conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of heart disease.
I’ll explain what QRISK is, how it’s calculated, why it’s important, and what to do if your score is high.
What Is a QRISK Score?
QRISK is a calculator that estimates your 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It’s widely used across the NHS and private sectors to help guide decisions about preventive treatment, such as whether someone should be offered statins (cholesterol-lowering medication) or lifestyle support.
It was developed using data from millions of UK patients, making it a reliable, evidence-based tool that reflects the population it serves.
The current version in use is QRISK3, which takes into account a wide range of personal and clinical factors.
What Does the QRISK Score Measure?
Your QRISK score is given as a percentage. For example, a score of 10% means you have a 1 in 10 chance of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years.
The higher the number, the greater your risk. In the UK, a QRISK score of 10% or above is considered high enough to offer preventive treatment.
The QRISK calculation includes:
Age and sex
Ethnicity
Smoking status
Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
Blood pressure readings
Cholesterol levels
Body mass index (BMI)
Family history of heart disease
Medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and atrial fibrillation
Medications that may influence risk, including corticosteroids or antipsychotics
Socioeconomic factors, including postcode-linked deprivation scores
It’s a comprehensive risk assessment based on your personal health profile.
You can try an NHS-endorsed version of the tool here:👉 QRISK3 Calculator
Who Should Have a QRISK Assessment?
You don’t need to have symptoms to benefit from a QRISK assessment. In fact, it’s most helpful when used proactively.
You may be offered a QRISK score if:
You're aged 40–74, as part of an NHS Health Check
You have risk factors such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, or diabetes
Your GP wants to assess your need for statins or other preventive measures
You have a family history of heart disease or stroke
Even if you feel well, a high QRISK score means your heart may be at risk in the future—early intervention can make a big difference.
What Happens If My QRISK Score Is High?
If your QRISK score is 10% or higher, you may be advised to take steps to lower your risk. These could include:
1. Lifestyle Changes
Stop smoking – One of the biggest modifiable risk factors
Improve your diet – Focus on heart-healthy foods, reduce saturated fat and salt
Increase physical activity – Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly
Lose excess weight – If you're overweight or obese
Reduce alcohol intake – Excess alcohol increases blood pressure and risk of stroke
2. Medication
Your GP may recommend statins to lower cholesterol or medications to manage blood pressure or blood sugar levels.
At Heartsure, we also offer detailed risk assessments and consultations to help you understand your options and tailor a heart health plan that works for you.
If you’re unsure about statin therapy, we can discuss your QRISK score in context with other investigations like echocardiograms or CT coronary angiograms.
Can I Improve My QRISK Score?
Yes. Your QRISK score is not fixed. By making changes to your lifestyle and managing your health, you can lower your future risk.
Some changes—like quitting smoking or lowering cholesterol—can significantly reduce your 10-year risk. Your GP may repeat your QRISK assessment after 6–12 months of lifestyle changes or treatment.
Why Is QRISK Better Than General Risk Guessing?
What makes QRISK particularly useful is that it is:
Evidence-based – Built on large UK-specific population data
Personalised – Takes into account your individual medical and social history
Proactive – Aims to detect risk early before symptoms occur
It helps clinicians target treatment where it’s needed most, rather than relying on general assumptions.
For more guidance on how risk is assessed in primary care, visit the NHS Cardiovascular Risk page.
Do I Need a Private QRISK Assessment?
If you’re not eligible for an NHS Health Check—or you’d prefer faster access to blood tests and imaging—you can book a private heart assessment at Heartsure.
We offer:
On-site blood tests for cholesterol, glucose, and kidney function
Blood pressure monitoring
ECG, echocardiogram, and other diagnostics
Expert cardiology consultation to discuss your risk
If you’d like to book a private cardiac health check, contact us here.
Conclusion
So to wrap up, what is a QRISK? It's a powerful tool for predicting your likelihood of developing heart disease or stroke in the next 10 years. Knowing your QRISK score gives you the opportunity to act early and prevent serious cardiovascular events.
Whether you’re managing long-term risk or looking for peace of mind, understanding and addressing your QRISK score can help you make informed choices about your health.
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