The following table compares the variables considered by each of the risk assessment calculators discussed.

Clinical judgement and interpretation of the results

When interpreting risk scores it is important to remember that this score only provides an estimate of a patient's risk. Healthcare professionals should use their clinical judgement when interpreting and discussing risk scores. Additional factors that may increase a patients risk should be taken into account where they are not included in the calculated risk score as this would cause the predicted risk to be underestimated.

It is also important not to encourage complacency as a low risk score cannot be equated to mean the patient has no risk, they simply have a risk factor that is lower than other people. Most patients will be able to reduce their risk by following suitable changes in lifestyle and/or drug treatment as appropriate.