ESH Cardiovascular Risk Stratification: Explanation and Clinical Context The ESH/ESC Cardiovascular Risk Stratification tool is designed to estimate the total cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients by integrating blood pressure grade, major risk factors (smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia, age), subclinical organ damage, and established cardiovascular or renal disease.
Patients are categorized into Low, Moderate, High, or Very High Risk based on this combination. High-risk patients benefit from more intensive blood pressure management and consideration of additional preventive therapies, whereas low-risk patients may be managed with lifestyle modifications and standard BP control.
This stratification facilitates personalized treatment planning, prioritizes interventions for patients at greatest risk, and aligns with guideline recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in hypertension.
Reference:
Williams B, Mancia G, Spiering W, et al. 2023 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension. Eur Heart J. 2023;44:3227–3330. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad153
Mancia G, Fagard R, Narkiewicz K, et al. 2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. Eur Heart J. 2018;39:3021–3104.