Our Methodology
Six peer-reviewed models. One clearer picture.
Praneya combines six established cardiovascular risk assessment frameworks. Each model contributes a different lens on your heart health. Together, they provide context — not a diagnosis.
- 01.
ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE)
The standard US guideline for estimating 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Uses age, sex, race, total cholesterol, HDL-C, systolic blood pressure, and smoking status.
Citation
Goff DC Jr, et al. 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk. Circulation. 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S49-S73.
What this means for you: Your baseline risk estimate uses the same calculation your cardiologist would use during a preventive visit.
- 02.
ESC SCORE2 / SCORE2-OP
European cardiovascular risk prediction for ages 40–89, calibrated for low, moderate, high, and very high risk regions. SCORE2-OP extends this to older adults.
Citation
SCORE2 Working Group. SCORE2 risk prediction algorithms: new models to estimate 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease in Europe. Eur Heart J. 2021;42(25):2439-2454.
What this means for you: If you live outside the US, or want a second perspective, SCORE2 provides regionally-calibrated risk estimates.
- 03.
Framingham General CVD Risk Score
Predicts 10-year risk of any first cardiovascular event — coronary death, MI, stroke, TIA, PAD, or heart failure — from the landmark Framingham cohort.
Citation
D'Agostino RB Sr, et al. General Cardiovascular Risk Profile for Use in Primary Care: The Framingham Heart Study. Circulation. 2008;117(6):743-753.
What this means for you: Beyond just heart attack and stroke risk, this captures the broader picture of cardiovascular health.
- 04.
MESA CAC Risk Adjustment
Reclassifies baseline risk using coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores. A CAC score of zero can downgrade risk; elevated scores refine risk upward.
Citation
McClelland RL, et al. 10-year coronary heart disease risk prediction using coronary artery calcium and traditional risk factors. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015;66(15):1643-1653.
What this means for you: If you have a CAC scan, this adjusts your risk estimate based on actual plaque burden in your arteries.
- 05.
AHA CKM Staging (2024)
Stages 0–4 of the cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome framework, integrating biomarkers like HbA1c, eGFR, UACR, and NT-proBNP for holistic risk assessment.
Citation
Ndumele CE, et al. A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome. Circulation. 2023;148(20):e000-e000.
What this means for you: Your metabolic and kidney health are deeply connected to heart health. CKM staging shows where you stand across all three systems.
- 06.
NHANES Population Context
Population-level reference data for lipid percentiles, stratified by age, sex, and ethnicity. Used to provide context when lab values are missing or preliminary.
Citation
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What this means for you: Even with incomplete data, we can estimate where you might stand relative to the broader population.
How these models work together
No single model captures the full picture of cardiovascular health. ACC/AHA PCE provides your baseline US risk estimate. ESC SCORE2 offers a European perspective. Framingham captures broader cardiovascular events. MESA CAC refines risk if you have calcium scoring data. CKM staging integrates metabolic and kidney health. NHANES provides population context when data is incomplete.
Praneya synthesizes these perspectives into a single wellness score — designed to help you prepare for conversations with your clinician, not to replace them.
Important: These models provide wellness context only. They do not constitute a medical diagnosis. If any result concerns you, or if you have abnormal lab values, consult your healthcare provider first before acting on any wellness information.