By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
CHA2DS2-VASc estimates stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation using a small set of clinical risk factors. Each factor adds points, and the total is used to frame a conversation about anticoagulation. This calculator sums the points and reports the guideline-style risk band, but it does not recommend or prescribe treatment.
Stroke-risk score for atrial fibrillation.
CHA2DS2-VASc = CHF(1) + hypertension(1) + age ≥75(2) + diabetes(1) + stroke/TIA(2) + vascular disease(1) + age 65–74(1) + female sex(1)
Age 65–74 and age 75 or over are mutually exclusive, so the maximum is 9. Female sex is included as a point, but guidelines treat it as a risk modifier: a woman with no other factors scores 1 and is still in the low-risk group. The score informs, but does not replace, individual clinical judgement.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Score | Total CHA2DS2-VASc points, from 0 to 9. |
| Age | Age band: under 65, 65–74, or 75 and over. |
| Sex | Female sex adds one point as a risk modifier. |
Age 75 or over adds 2, hypertension adds 1, diabetes adds 1 and female sex adds 1, for a total of 5 out of 9. Excluding the sex point, the score is 4, which falls in the high-risk band. A man aged 60 with no risk factors scores 0, which is low risk.
A score is most useful when it structures a discussion rather than ending one. CHA2DS2-VASc separates people with atrial fibrillation into broad groups: those whose stroke risk is low enough that anticoagulation is usually not needed, those in an intermediate band where the decision is individual, and those with enough risk that treatment is usually considered. Within each band, factors the score does not capture still matter, including bleeding risk, kidney disease, frailty and the person's own goals. The score also says nothing about rhythm control, blood pressure management or lifestyle changes that reduce cardiovascular risk. Treat the number as a starting point for a clinical review, and never start, stop or change an anticoagulant based on a calculator result alone.
Continue with the Mean Arterial Pressure Calculator, Pulse Pressure Calculator, or the QTc Calculator — or browse more cardiology tools and all health calculators.
It estimates the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. Higher scores are associated with more strokes per year, but the score does not give a precise individual probability and should not be used as the only basis for treatment.
Blood pressure, ECG and risk scores are screening aids, not diagnoses. A single reading can be misleading; trends and proper technique matter. Scores estimate population risk and do not replace clinical assessment, anticoagulation decisions or emergency care.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
Content updated: September 2026