The PREVENT equations can improve, personalize care for adults with high BP

August 28, 2025 at 14:00 PM EDT

(NewMediaWire) - August 28, 2025 - DALLAS — Using the Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs (PREVENT™) equations provides more accurate risk estimates and supports personalized treatment for adults with high blood pressure or hypertension, according to a new scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association’s peer-reviewed journals Circulation and Hypertension, and in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology. This document is a companion to the recently published 2025 AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guideline that newly recommends the PREVENT equations to personalize care.

The PREVENT™ equations, developed by the American Heart Association in 2023, are a clinical tool to estimate 10- and 30-year risk for total cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure in adults ages 30–79 without a history of CVD. The PREVENT™ calculator, based on the PREVENT™ equations, uses clinical factors, such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, diabetes and adverse social factors (including a zip code–based social deprivation index), to estimate an individual’s CVD risk, which includes ASCVD and heart failure. Built on data from 6M+ diverse U.S. adults, PREVENT™ offers broader applicability than the previously recommended Pooled Cohort Equations (PCEs, the previous risk model used to estimate only ASCVD risk).

Scientific Statement highlights include:

Details the evidence for why the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline recommends using the PREVENT™-CVD equations and supports using the PREVENT^TM-CVD equations to guide treatment decisions for adults with high blood pressure.
Shares the evidence for the new PREVENT^TM-CVD threshold defined in the 2025 Guideline, which recommends people with stage 1 hypertension (systolic blood pressure 130–139 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure 80–89 mm Hg) and a PREVENT^TM-CVD 10-year cardiovascular disease risk score of ≥7.5% should begin taking blood pressure medication(s) along with lifestyle changes.
Defines the population-level implications of the revised PREVENT^TM-CVD risk threshold in the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline demonstrating that the number of people recommended for antihypertensive therapy according to the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline is similar to the 2017 High Blood Pressure Guideline. This directly addresses earlier concerns that fewer people may be recommended antihypertensive treatment. Moreover, the greater accuracy of the PREVENT^TM-CVD equations means identifying individuals most likely to benefit from treatment while avoiding unnecessary medication in lower-risk individuals.
Shares practical guidance on integrating the PREVENT^TMequations into holistic risk assessment that can personalize care for each individual and develop an integrated health care plan to meet patients’ needs.
More information about PREVENT^TM is available here.

“The American Heart Association recommends clinicians base their treatment recommendations for both high blood pressure and cholesterol on cardiovascular disease risk. The new PREVENT equations are based on more modern, more contemporary datasets, therefore, they are a better tool than the past risk models,” said Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA, chair of the 2025 high blood pressure guideline writing committee and a co-author of the scientific statement. “The new PREVENT equations are different also because they include information about kidney disease and metabolic disease, all of which are linked to blood pressure levels. The PREVENT equations are more comprehensive and will give a stronger and more accurate risk prediction for our patients, allowing us to personalize care.” Jones is also dean and professor emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi.

“The PREVENT equations are the first risk tool that combines cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health measurements to support primary prevention-focused treatment decisions. They represent the best science and evidence to rigorously and accurately estimate CVD risk today,” said Sadiya S. Khan, M.D., M.Sc., FAHA, chair of the scientific statement writing group. “The most important message for clinicians and patients is that risk from high blood pressure is modifiable. And the goal of using the PREVENT equations is to tailor and personalize preventive care so we can better support our patients to achieve marked improvements that result in longer, healthier lives.” Khan is also the Magerstadt Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology and an associate professor of cardiology and preventive medicine at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

A curated collection of commentaries, debates, editorials and educational resources to support implementation of the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline and deepen understanding of its recommendations are listed below and available at this link.

The new scientific statement about using the PREVENT™ equations, as recommended by the 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline, was prepared by a volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association’s official clinical practice recommendations. Authors of the scientific statement and their disclosures are listed in the manuscript.

The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.

Additional Resources:

Available multimedia is on right column of release link.
After 2 p.m. ET, Aug. 28, 2025, view the manuscript online in Circulation, Hypertension and JACC.
American Heart Association 2025 High Blood Pressure Guideline Hub for Health Care Professionals
Video comments on PREVENT from Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA, chair of the 2025 high blood pressure guideline writing committee, dean and professor emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi
American Heart Association Scientific Statement: Novel Prediction Equations for Absolute Risk Assessment of Total Cardiovascular Disease Incorporating Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health (Nov. 2023)
Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews
Follow news from the AHA’s flagship journal Circulation @CircAHA
Follow news from the AHA’s Hypertension journal @HyperAHA
Follow news from the ACC’s flagship journal JACC @JACCJournals

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

American Heart Association: Michelle Kirkwood: Michelle.Kirkwood@heart.org and Amanda Ebert: Amanda.Ebert@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

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The PREVENT equations can improve, personalize care for adults with high BP

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