American Heart Association Recommends Using PREVENT Equations for Personalized Medical Care

Strategic Insights -

The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a new scientific statement recommending the use of the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events Risk Equations (PREVENT) to personalize medical care for adults with high blood pressure. The PREVENT equations calculate the risk of total cardiovascular disease (CVD) at 10 and 30 years, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure, based on clinical factors such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, diabetes, and social adversity factors. This new approach is part of the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guidelines, which aims to provide more accurate risk estimation and help provide personalized care to adults with high blood pressure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PREVENT equations are a clinical tool for estimating 10- and 30-year risk of total CVD, including ASCVD and heart failure, in adults aged 30-79 years with no history of CVD.
  • The PREVENT calculator uses clinical factors such as BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, and adverse social factors to estimate individual risk of CVD.
  • The new PREVENT equations are based on more modern and current data, making them a better tool than previous risk models, and include information on kidney disease and metabolic disease.
  • The PREVENT equations are the first risk tool to combine cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic health measurements to support treatment decisions focused on primary prevention.
  • The goal of using PREVENT equations is to personalize preventive care to help patients achieve meaningful improvements that translate to longer, healthier lives.
  • Daniel W. Jones, MD, FAHA, chair of the 2025 Guideline on High Blood Pressure writing committee, stated that the new PREVENT equations are a better tool than previous risk models because they are based on more modern and current data.
  • Sadiya S. Khan, MD, M.Sc., FAHA, chair of the scientific statement writing group, emphasized the importance of using PREVENT equations to personalize preventive care and help patients achieve meaningful improvements.

Statistics:

  • The PREVENT equations are applicable to over 6 million diverse U.S. adults.
  • The PREVENT calculator estimates individual risk of CVD based on clinical factors such as BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, and adverse social factors.
  • The new PREVENT equations are based on more modern and current data, making them a better tool than previous risk models.
  • The PREVENT equations are the first risk tool to combine cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic health measurements to support treatment decisions focused on primary prevention.

Sources:

  • Original Press Release: "New Scientific Statement on the Use of the PREVENT Equations, Recommended by the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guidelines," American Heart Association, August 28, 2025.
  • "American Heart Association Resource Center on the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guidelines for Health Care Professionals," American Heart Association.
  • "Video commentary on PREVENT by Daniel W. Jones, MD, FAHA," American Heart Association.
  • "American Heart Association Scientific Statement: Novel Prediction Equations for Absolute Risk Assessment of Total Cardiovascular Disease Incorporating Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health (Nov. 2023)."