Can Patients Use the ASCVD Risk Estimator App?
Yes, patients can and should use the ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Estimator app, which is specifically designed for both clinician and patient use to facilitate shared decision-making about cardiovascular prevention strategies. 1
App Accessibility and Design
The ACC/AHA Risk Estimator app was intentionally developed to be widely accessible to both clinicians and patients through multiple platforms 1:
- Available on computers, tablets, and smartphones for easy access by anyone 1
- Can be accessed at tools.acc.org/ASCVD-Risk-Estimator-Plus 2
- Designed specifically to facilitate shared decision-making between patients and providers 1
- Can be used by patients independently between visits or together with clinicians during encounters 1
Patient-Centered Features
The app includes several patient-friendly components 1:
- Patient-oriented sections that explain cardiovascular risk in accessible language 1
- Weight management guidance stating that "losing just 3-5% of body weight can improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels and reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes" 1
- Links to lifestyle modification recommendations to help patients understand non-pharmacological interventions 1
Who Should Use the Calculator
The calculator is appropriate for 1:
- Adults aged 40-75 years for 10-year ASCVD risk estimation 1
- Adults aged 20-59 years for lifetime risk estimation 1
- Individuals without known ASCVD (this is for primary prevention) 1
- Those with risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia 1
Important Caveats for Patient Use
Patients should understand that the risk estimate represents a group average, not an individual guarantee 1. When communicating a 19% 10-year risk, for example, it means "of 100 patients like you, 19 would be expected to have a stroke or heart attack in the next 10 years" 1.
The calculator should initiate a conversation with healthcare providers, not replace it 1. The risk score alone should not be the sole factor for starting medications 1.
The calculator has limitations that patients should be aware of 1:
- May overestimate or underestimate risk in certain ethnic groups (Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans) 1
- Does not account for diabetes duration or complications like kidney disease 1
- Best validated for non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks in the United States 1
Clinical Context for This Patient
For a patient with cellulitis and potential cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia), the calculator remains appropriate and useful 1. The presence of diabetes is specifically included as a risk factor in the calculator 1, and the cellulitis history does not preclude its use.
Patients with diabetes should have their cardiovascular risk factors assessed at least annually 1, making the calculator a valuable tool for ongoing risk monitoring.