As part of your regular health screening, you may have recently had a cholesterol test. High cholesterol can increase your risk of developing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) — a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health problems.
To help manage this risk, healthcare professionals use two important tools: the QRISK2 assessment and statin medication.
What is QRISK2?
QRISK2 is a tool used by healthcare professionals to estimate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. It calculates your score based on things like:
- Age, gender, and ethnicity
- Blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Smoking and alcohol habits
- Medical history (e.g. diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis)
Understanding Your QRISK2 Score
QRISK2 helps us place you into one of three risk categories:
- Low risk: Less than 10% chance of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years
- Moderate risk: 10–20% chance
- High risk: More than 20% chance
What Can I Do to Lower My Risk?
If your QRISK2 score is 10% or higher, you will be offered support to reduce your risk. This includes:
- Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stopping smoking, managing weight)
- Medication like statins, if lifestyle changes are not enough
Healthy lifestyle tips:
- Stop smoking
- Eat a balanced diet: low in fat, sugar and salt, with at least 5 fruit/veg a day
- Reduce alcohol to less than 14 units/week
- Aim for a BMI between 20–25
- Stay active – walking is a great start!
- Take medication for high blood pressure if needed
Your cholesterol, blood pressure, and QRISK2 score can be rechecked at your annual health check. Statin may be recommended if your QRISK is above 10%.
Statins: What You Need to Know
Statins are medicines that lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol. They help prevent blockages in your arteries and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Statins can lower your LDL cholesterol by 30% to 50%, depending on the dose but Statins need to be taken long-term to be effective.
Statins are safe and effective for many people, and your clinician will talk to you about the benefits and risks.
Important: Statins for People Already at Higher Risk (Secondary Prevention)
Even if your QRISK2 score is low, you will still be offered a statin if you already have a condition that increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. This is called secondary prevention.
You will be offered a statin if you have any of the following conditions:
- Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) – e.g., angina or a past heart attack
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) – narrowed blood vessels in your limbs
- Stroke or TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) – including mini-strokes
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – particularly stage 3 or higher
- Diabetes – particularly if you are over 40 or have had diabetes for several years
These conditions already put you at high risk of another cardiovascular event. Taking a statin significantly lowers this risk, even if your cholesterol or QRISK2 score is not high.
Conclusion
QRISK2 and statins are key tools in managing your heart health. If your risk is high, or you already have certain health conditions, statins can help protect you from future heart attacks or strokes. Lifestyle changes are always beneficial and can make a big difference.
For personal advice or to discuss whether a statin is right for you, please book an appointment with a GP.