Updates

The Cardiovascular guidelines have been updated to reflect changes to the approach to estimating cardiovascular disease risk described in the 2023 ‘Australian Guideline for assessing and managing cardiovascular disease risk’ and Aus CVD Risk calculator developed by the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA).

The Aus CVD Risk calculator replaces the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance absolute risk calculator as the most appropriate tool for estimating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in the Australian context. The calculator is based on a new risk equation and risk categories have changed as a consequence. These categories are explained in the update, as well as how to manage patients according to their calculated risk.

The update also provides guidance on which people to target for screening, when to reassess a patient’s risk and how risk factors are considered in the calculator.

Advice on when to start lipid-lowering therapy and blood pressure therapy according to ASCVD risk estimate has also been refined.