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CHA₂DS₂-VASc Calculator
CHA₂DS₂-VASc is the standard risk score used to estimate the yearly risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation, and to inform the shared decision about anticoagulation. Each letter is a risk factor; age 75 or over and a previous stroke, TIA, or thromboembolism count double.
Enter the values or tick the options above — the result updates automatically.
How to interpret the result
| Score | Adjusted stroke rate per year — original validation cohort |
|---|---|
| 0 | ~0% |
| 1 | ~1.3% |
| 2 | ~2.2% |
| 3 | ~3.2% |
| 4 | ~4.0% |
| 5 | ~6.7% |
| 6 | ~9.8% |
| 7 | ~9.6% |
| 8 | ~6.7% |
| 9 | ~15.2% |
These figures come from the cohort in which the score was originally validated (Lip and colleagues, Euro Heart Survey data). Later and larger cohorts report different — often lower — rates, especially at low scores. Guidelines frame the decision in terms of the overall score and the individual: in general terms, anticoagulation is typically discussed from a score of 2 upwards, considered at 1 (other than a point for female sex alone), and not usually recommended at 0. The decision also weighs bleeding risk, other illnesses, and the person's own preference.
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Frequently asked questions
What does each letter of CHA₂DS₂-VASc stand for?
Congestive heart failure (1), Hypertension (1), Age 75 or over (2), Diabetes (1), Stroke/TIA/thromboembolism (2), Vascular disease (1), Age 65–74 (1), and Sex category female (1). The subscript 2s mark the two double-weight items.
Why does female sex score a point?
Female sex was associated with higher stroke risk in the derivation data, but current guidance treats it as a risk modifier: it matters in combination with other factors, and a score of 1 from female sex alone is generally managed like the lowest-risk group.
Does a high score automatically mean anticoagulation?
No. The score estimates stroke risk; the actual decision also weighs bleeding risk, other conditions, and personal preference, and belongs in a conversation with the treating clinician.