Answer 25 evidence-based questions about your lifestyle, history, and health markers. You'll receive a personalized heart health risk score with a breakdown across eight key areas — and a prioritized action plan.
This tool is for educational purposes only and is not a medical diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and most of the developed world, responsible for roughly one in every three deaths. The encouraging reality is that the majority of cardiovascular disease is preventable — research consistently shows that lifestyle factors account for the vast majority of modifiable risk, and that meaningful changes at any age can substantially reduce the probability of a heart attack or stroke.
This assessment is structured around the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 framework — the most evidence-based summary of modifiable cardiovascular health factors available. A large prospective study found that individuals who adhered to all healthy lifestyle behaviors had 83 percent lower cardiovascular disease risk compared to those with multiple risk factors.
Personal and family history. Age, sex, and family history are non-modifiable but critically important. Having a first-degree relative who experienced a heart attack or stroke before age 55 (men) or 65 (women) increases risk by 40 to 60 percent, primarily due to heritable genetic variants affecting cholesterol metabolism, blood pressure regulation, and inflammation.
Smoking. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of cardiovascular disease. Smokers have two to four times the risk of coronary heart disease compared to non-smokers. Cardiovascular benefits of quitting begin within hours.
Physical activity. Regular aerobic exercise reduces cardiovascular risk by 30 to 40 percent. Sedentary behavior is independently harmful even in people who meet exercise guidelines.
Diet quality. The Mediterranean and DASH dietary patterns are the most evidence-backed for cardiovascular risk reduction, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and fish while minimizing sodium, refined grains, and ultra-processed foods.
Body weight. Excess visceral (abdominal) fat drives cardiovascular risk through hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Even modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent produces measurable improvements in multiple risk markers.
Sleep. Both short sleep duration (below 6 hours) and poor sleep quality independently increase cardiovascular risk. Obstructive sleep apnea — affecting an estimated 25 percent of men — is a significant and underdiagnosed cardiovascular risk factor.
Stress and mental health. Chronic stress, depression, and social isolation are independent cardiovascular risk factors. Social isolation is associated with a 29 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease in large population studies.
Alcohol and preventive care. Heavy drinking raises blood pressure, promotes arrhythmias, and contributes to cardiomyopathy. Regular preventive checkups allow blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar to be identified and managed before they cause damage.
The genetics dimension: Lifestyle assessments reflect what matters on average across large populations. But cardiovascular risk is also individually determined by genetic variants — APOE, PCSK9, MTHFR, and the 9p21 locus — that no lifestyle questionnaire can capture. Understanding your genetic profile adds a layer of personalization that can meaningfully change both risk assessment and the recommended interventions.
About cardiovascular risk and this assessment