What is coronary heart disease (CHD) risk?

Coronary heart disease risk is the probability of developing CHD events — angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), or coronary death — over a defined period. Our calculator uses the validated 1998 Wilson Framingham Hard CHD model to estimate 10-year risk in adults without established cardiovascular disease.

How is the Wilson Hard CHD risk score calculated?

The 1998 Wilson model uses sex-specific Cox equations with log-transformed age, total cholesterol, HDL, systolic BP, BP medication status, and smoking, plus age×cholesterol and age×smoking interaction terms (and age² for men). Risk = 1 − baseline_survival^exp(coefficients). Baseline survival is 0.9402 (men) and 0.98767 (women). Diabetes is not included in the Wilson CHD equation.

Who should use this coronary heart disease risk calculator?

Adults aged 30–74 without established cardiovascular disease (no prior MI, angina, stroke, PAD, heart failure, or revascularization). It supports primary prevention risk stratification and patient education. Not for patients on secondary-prevention therapy.

What are the CHD risk categories?

Wilson CHD uses Framingham/ATP III categories: Low risk < 10%; Intermediate risk 10% to < 20%; High risk ≥ 20%. High risk typically warrants aggressive intervention including statin therapy, BP optimization, and smoking cessation.

What is the difference between CHD risk and ASCVD risk?

CHD risk (Wilson 1998) predicts coronary events only — angina, MI, coronary death. ASCVD Pooled Cohort Equations predict hard ASCVD events — nonfatal MI, coronary death, and stroke. ASCVD is the preferred US tool for statin decisions per ACC/AHA guidelines. CHD risk excludes stroke.

What is the difference between this calculator and the Framingham Risk Score calculator?

Our Framingham Risk Score calculator returns two scores: 2008 General CVD (CHD + stroke + PAD + heart failure) and 1998 Hard CHD. This Coronary Heart Disease Risk Calculator focuses solely on the Wilson Hard CHD score with a streamlined single-output experience for users searching specifically for CHD or heart attack risk.

Does diabetes affect the Wilson CHD score?

No. Diabetes is not an input in the 1998 Wilson Hard CHD equation. However, diabetes remains a major cardiovascular risk factor clinically — patients with diabetes should manage it aggressively regardless of CHD score. For diabetes-inclusive risk, use our Framingham General CVD or ASCVD calculators.

Does Wilson CHD use race or ethnicity?

No. Wilson CHD uses sex-specific equations only — separate models for men and women. Unlike ASCVD PCE, there are no race-specific coefficients. Models were derived primarily from a White Framingham cohort and may not perfectly calibrate to all ethnic groups, including South Asians.

What cholesterol values should I enter?

Enter fasting total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in mg/dL (or mmol/L) from your most recent lipid panel (within 12 months). Non-HDL cholesterol (Total − HDL) is computed automatically. HDL must be lower than total cholesterol.

Should I enter treated or untreated blood pressure?

Enter your current systolic blood pressure and indicate whether you take BP medication. The Wilson CHD model uses ln(SBP) plus a separate BP medication indicator — treated patients have a different coefficient for the medication term.

Does smoking status matter?

Yes. Current smoking substantially raises 10-year hard CHD risk through dedicated smoking coefficients and age×smoking interaction terms. Former smokers who quit more than 12 months ago are typically classified as non-smokers in clinical practice.

How accurate is the Wilson CHD model?

The 1998 Wilson Hard CHD model is widely validated and matches MDCalc output. It was derived from the Framingham Heart Study cohort. It may over- or underestimate risk in non-White populations. Use alongside clinical judgment and consider ASCVD or QRISK for guideline-aligned decisions.

Can I use this calculator if I am under 30 or over 74?

The Wilson CHD model is validated for ages 30–74. Outside this range, the calculator will show a validation error. For younger adults, consider lifetime risk tools. For older adults, clinical judgment and comorbidity assessment are essential.

What is non-HDL cholesterol and why is it shown?

Non-HDL cholesterol equals total cholesterol minus HDL. It captures all atherogenic lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL, IDL). Many guidelines use non-HDL targets alongside LDL, especially when triglycerides are elevated. It is computed automatically from your inputs.

When should I see a doctor about my CHD risk?

See your doctor if your hard CHD risk is intermediate (10–20%) or high (≥ 20%), if you have symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath), or if you have diabetes, family history of premature CHD, or LDL ≥ 190 mg/dL. Seek emergency care for acute chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe symptoms.

Is this calculator a medical diagnosis?

No. This Coronary Heart Disease Risk Calculator uses the validated Wilson 1998 model for educational purposes only — it is not a medical diagnosis. Treatment decisions require clinical evaluation by a qualified physician. If you have established cardiovascular disease, this tool does not apply.

How does CHD risk compare to general cardiovascular risk?

Hard CHD risk is typically lower than general CVD risk because it excludes stroke, PAD, and heart failure. A patient might show 6.5% hard CHD but 10% general CVD with the same inputs. Use our Framingham Risk Score calculator to see both scores side by side.

What lifestyle changes lower CHD risk the most?

Quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, improving diet (Mediterranean or DASH), regular aerobic exercise (150 min/week), and maintaining healthy weight yield the largest reductions. Even 5–10% weight loss lowers LDL, triglycerides, and BP.

Which other calculators should I use with CHD risk?

Pair with our Framingham Risk Score (general CVD + hard CHD), ASCVD 10-Year Risk (US statin guidance), LDL Cholesterol, Blood Pressure Risk, Heart Age, Diabetes Risk, and Metabolic Syndrome calculators for a complete cardiovascular prevention picture.

Can I export or share my CHD risk results?

Yes. After calculating, use the share button to export a PDF report or share results. The PDF includes your 10-year hard CHD risk, category, lipid metrics, treatment guidance, risk factor profile, lifestyle recommendations, and next steps — useful for doctor visits.

Coronary Heart Disease Risk Calculator

Q: What is the difference between CHD risk and ASCVD risk?

CHD risk (Wilson 1998) predicts coronary events only — angina, MI, coronary death. ASCVD Pooled Cohort Equations predict hard ASCVD events — nonfatal MI, coronary death, and stroke. ASCVD is the preferred US tool for statin decisions per ACC/AHA guidelines. CHD risk excludes stroke.

Q: What is the difference between this calculator and the Framingham Risk Score calculator?

Our Framingham Risk Score calculator returns two scores: 2008 General CVD (CHD + stroke + PAD + heart failure) and 1998 Hard CHD. This Coronary Heart Disease Risk Calculator focuses solely on the Wilson Hard CHD score with a streamlined single-output experience for users searching specifically for CHD or heart attack risk.

Q: Does diabetes affect the Wilson CHD score?

No. Diabetes is not an input in the 1998 Wilson Hard CHD equation. However, diabetes remains a major cardiovascular risk factor clinically — patients with diabetes should manage it aggressively regardless of CHD score. For diabetes-inclusive risk, use our Framingham General CVD or ASCVD calculators.

Q: Does Wilson CHD use race or ethnicity?

No. Wilson CHD uses sex-specific equations only — separate models for men and women. Unlike ASCVD PCE, there are no race-specific coefficients. Models were derived primarily from a White Framingham cohort and may not perfectly calibrate to all ethnic groups, including South Asians.

Q: What cholesterol values should I enter?

Enter fasting total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in mg/dL (or mmol/L) from your most recent lipid panel (within 12 months). Non-HDL cholesterol (Total − HDL) is computed automatically. HDL must be lower than total cholesterol.

Q: Should I enter treated or untreated blood pressure?

Enter your current systolic blood pressure and indicate whether you take BP medication. The Wilson CHD model uses ln(SBP) plus a separate BP medication indicator — treated patients have a different coefficient for the medication term.

Free coronary heart disease risk calculator — primary focus on 1998 Hard CHD risk (angina, heart attack, coronary death) with supporting General CVD risk (stroke, PAD, heart failure). Enter cholesterol, BP, smoking, diabetes, age, and sex for risk categories and PDF export.

Enter your details — results appear below after you calculate.

Demographics

Age (years)

Framingham validated for ages 30–74 without prior cardiovascular disease

Sex

Lipid units

Framingham uses mg/dL internally — mmol/L values convert automatically (mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67).

Lipid panel

Total Cholesterol (mg/dL)

Range: 130–320 mg/dL (3.4–8.3 mmol/L)

HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL)

Range: 20–100 mg/dL (0.5–2.6 mmol/L)

Blood pressure & risk factors

Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg)

On blood pressure medication?

Current smoker?

Diabetes?

How this Coronary Heart Disease Risk calculator works

This page is CHD-focused. Your primary result is Hard CHD risk (1998 Wilson) — coronary heart disease events only (angina, MI, coronary death). We also show General CVD risk (2008 D'Agostino) as supporting context — stroke, PAD, and heart failure. Enter age (30–74), sex, total and HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (with BP medication status), current smoking, and diabetes (general CVD model only).

Hard CHD uses the classic Wilson model with age×cholesterol and age×smoking interaction terms — the same equation on MDCalc. General CVD adds diabetes and broader event types. Categories: < 10% low, 10–20% intermediate, ≥ 20% high.

Your report leads with hard CHD risk, then general CVD, plus non-HDL cholesterol, treatment guidance, risk factor profile, lifestyle recommendations, and PDF export.

For the official Framingham risk score page (general CVD first), see our Framingham Risk Score Calculator. For US statin decisions, see our ASCVD 10-Year Risk Calculator.

Scroll below for CHD vs CVD comparison, when to use which calculator, worked examples, clinical screening notes, and FAQs.

Coronary Heart Disease Risk Calculator — CHD-Focused with CVD Context

Millions search "coronary heart disease risk calculator", "CHD risk calculator", and "heart attack risk 10 year" each year. This page is optimized for coronary heart disease risk — your primary result is the validated 1998 Wilson Hard CHD Risk Score (angina, myocardial infarction, or coronary death). We also show 2008 General CVD risk as supporting context (stroke, PAD, heart failure) so you see the full cardiovascular picture.

Searching specifically for the classic "Framingham risk score"? Use our Framingham Risk Score Calculator instead — it leads with the Framingham Heart Study branding and general CVD. For US statin decisions, see our ASCVD 10-Year Risk Calculator. Pair CHD results with our LDL Cholesterol Calculator, Blood Pressure Risk Calculator, and Heart Age Calculator for a complete prevention picture.

When to Use This Calculator vs. Framingham Risk Score

Use this CHD Calculator if…

You want coronary heart disease or heart attack risk
You care about angina, MI, or coronary death specifically
You searched "CHD risk" or "coronary artery disease"
Hard CHD is your primary result; general CVD is bonus context

Use Framingham Risk Score if…

You want the official Framingham risk score
General CVD (stroke, PAD, HF) is your main focus
You searched "Framingham calculator" or "Framingham 10 year"
You need Framingham Heart Study branding for clinical context

What Is Coronary Heart Disease Risk?

Coronary heart disease (CHD) — also called coronary artery disease — occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries supplying the heart muscle. Hard CHD events include stable or unstable angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and coronary death. The Wilson 1998 model predicts the 10-year probability of a first such event in adults without established cardiovascular disease.

1What You Enter

Demographics

Age — 30–74 years (Wilson CHD validated range)
Sex — Male or Female (separate equations)

Clinical values

Total cholesterol — mg/dL or mmol/L
HDL cholesterol — mg/dL or mmol/L
Systolic BP — mmHg + medication status
Smoking — current smoker yes/no

Example (Low risk — 45-year-old man)

Male, age 45, TC 213 mg/dL, HDL 50 mg/dL, SBP 120 mmHg, non-smoker, not on BP meds → ~2.7% hard CHD risk (low). Continue lifestyle optimization and periodic screening.

Example (High risk — 62-year-old smoker)

Male, age 62, TC 260 mg/dL, HDL 38 mg/dL, SBP 148 mmHg on BP meds, current smoker → ~25%+ hard CHD risk (high). Aggressive risk factor modification and cardiology follow-up advised.

2Risk Categories

Wilson CHD uses ATP III / Framingham categories: Low < 10%, Intermediate 10–20%, High ≥ 20%. High risk typically warrants aggressive lipid lowering, blood pressure control, and smoking cessation. Intermediate risk often triggers shared decision-making about statins and additional testing (CAC scan, biomarkers).

3How the Wilson CHD Formula Works

Wilson et al. (1998) published sex-specific Cox proportional-hazards models. For men, the equation includes ln(age), ln(total cholesterol), ln(HDL), ln(SBP), BP medication, smoking, age×cholesterol and age×smoking interactions, and age². Baseline survival is 0.9402 for men and 0.98767 for women. Risk = 1 − baseline^exp(coefficients). Results match MDCalc and published validation tables.

CHD Risk vs. Other Cardiovascular Calculators

Calculator	Predicts	Key inputs	Primary use
Wilson Hard CHD (this tool)	Coronary events (angina, MI, death)	Age, sex, lipids, BP, smoking	Classic Framingham CHD score
Framingham General CVD (2008)	CHD, stroke, PAD, heart failure	Age, sex, lipids, BP, smoking, diabetes	Broader CVD risk; CDC Heart Age
ASCVD PCE (2013)	Hard ASCVD (MI, CHD death, stroke)	Age, sex, race, lipids, BP, smoking, diabetes	US statin decisions (ACC/AHA)
Cardiovascular Risk Calculator	Educational screening domains	Simplified point score	Self-screening only — not validated

Understanding Each CHD Risk Factor

Age & sex

Age is the strongest driver in the Wilson CHD model. Men have higher baseline coronary event rates at younger ages; women catch up after menopause. Separate equations account for these differences.

Total & HDL cholesterol

Higher total cholesterol and lower HDL raise CHD risk. Non-HDL (TC − HDL) captures atherogenic particles. Use fasting lipids (9–12 h) for consistent trending.

Systolic blood pressure

Elevated systolic BP damages arterial endothelium and accelerates plaque formation. The Wilson model uses ln(SBP) plus a separate BP medication indicator.

Smoking

Current smoking substantially raises CHD risk through age×smoking interaction terms. Quitting reduces cardiovascular risk within 1–2 years. Former smokers (> 12 months quit) usually count as non-smokers.

CHD Screening in India — Practical Notes

Cardiovascular disease causes roughly 28% of deaths in India, with South Asians experiencing MI 10–15 years earlier than Western cohorts. Lipid panels cost ₹300–800 at most labs. Generic statins cost ₹50–500/month.

Tips for Indian patients

Screen lipids from age 35–40 if family history of early heart disease
Low HDL + high TG pattern is common — check non-HDL, not LDL alone
Wilson CHD may underestimate South Asian risk — discuss with cardiologist
Control diabetes aggressively — not in Wilson equation but clinically critical
Walk 30 min daily — low physical activity is a major modifiable risk
Bring PDF export from this calculator to your doctor visit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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This calculator

Coronary Heart Disease Risk Calculator

Demographics

Lipid panel

Blood pressure & risk factors

How this Coronary Heart Disease Risk calculator works

Coronary Heart Disease Risk Calculator — CHD-Focused with CVD Context

When to Use This Calculator vs. Framingham Risk Score

Use this CHD Calculator if…

Use Framingham Risk Score if…

What Is Coronary Heart Disease Risk?

1What You Enter

Demographics

Clinical values

Example (Low risk — 45-year-old man)

Example (High risk — 62-year-old smoker)

2Risk Categories

3How the Wilson CHD Formula Works

CHD Risk vs. Other Cardiovascular Calculators

Understanding Each CHD Risk Factor

Age & sex

Total & HDL cholesterol

Systolic blood pressure

Smoking

CHD Screening in India — Practical Notes

Tips for Indian patients

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is coronary heart disease (CHD) risk?

How is the Wilson Hard CHD risk score calculated?

Who should use this coronary heart disease risk calculator?

What are the CHD risk categories?

What is the difference between CHD risk and ASCVD risk?

What is the difference between this calculator and the Framingham Risk Score calculator?

Does diabetes affect the Wilson CHD score?

Does Wilson CHD use race or ethnicity?

What cholesterol values should I enter?

Should I enter treated or untreated blood pressure?

Does smoking status matter?

How accurate is the Wilson CHD model?

Can I use this calculator if I am under 30 or over 74?

What is non-HDL cholesterol and why is it shown?

When should I see a doctor about my CHD risk?

Is this calculator a medical diagnosis?

How does CHD risk compare to general cardiovascular risk?

What lifestyle changes lower CHD risk the most?

Which other calculators should I use with CHD risk?

Can I export or share my CHD risk results?

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ASCVD 10-Year Risk Calculator

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LDL Cholesterol Calculator (Friedewald)

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