Background Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been traditionally guided by individual risk factors such hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. An absolute risk-based approach is more effective.

Objective The aim of this article is to outline the superiority of an absolute risk-based approach when compared with individual risk factor management for the primary prevention of CVD, and to elaborate on the derivation and use of the Australian absolute CVD risk calculator.

Discussion An absolute risk-based approach is superior to the traditional individual risk factor approach when identifying which patients would benefit most from the prescription of blood pressure-lowering and lipid-lowering medications.