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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire

Published: August 9, 2026Updated: August 17, 2026

The ACE questionnaire is a screening survey that asks about stressful or traumatic experiences you may have gone through during childhood, because these early life events can have a lasting impact on your long-term physical and emotional health outcomes.

Quick summary

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Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial TeamLast reviewed August 17, 2026Editorial policy

Key facts at a glance

LOINC
82152-0
Short code
ACE.BRFSS
Synonyms
—
Category
cardiac
Sample
serum
Container
Not applicable - this is a survey/questionnaire, not a specimen-based test
Units
N/A
Ref low
0
Ref high
8
Critical range
0.5 N/A – 1000 N/A
Fasting
false
Population
adult
Sex
all
Age range
≥ 18 years
Method
ace-brfss
CPT
83615
SNOMED
408371000124101
Specimen volume
Not applicable - no specimen collected
Stability
Not applicable - no specimen collected
Hemolysis max
500
Lipemia max
1000
Icterus max
500
TAT
4–24 hours
Order
routine

What is this test?

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire is a survey developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that collects information about stressful or traumatic experiences that occurred before age 18. These experiences include various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction such as substance abuse, mental illness, or domestic violence in the home.

Why is this test important for heart health?

Research has shown a strong connection between childhood trauma and long-term health outcomes. Individuals with higher ACE scores have significantly increased risks of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. The stress from these early experiences can affect brain development, immune function, and inflammation levels, all of which impact heart health.

What does the questionnaire ask about?

The ACE questionnaire covers three main categories: 1) Abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual), 2) Neglect (physical or emotional), and 3) Household dysfunction (substance abuse, mental illness, incarcerated family member, parental separation/divorce, or domestic violence). Your answers help healthcare providers understand your complete health picture.

Reference range

Not applicable - this is a qualitative survey instrument assessing adverse childhood experiences. Scores are interpreted categorically (0-8 ACE score) with higher scores indicating greater exposure to childhood adversity.N/A

Specimen: serum

No fasting or special preparation required. This is a telephone-administered survey. Respondents should be able to recall childhood experiences accurately. Participation is voluntary and confidential.

Clinical interpretation

How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.

The ACE score is a valuable tool for predicting health risks. Studies show a strong dose-response relationship between ACE scores and chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and substance abuse. Knowing your ACE score helps healthcare providers develop personalized prevention and treatment plans, recommend appropriate screenings, and connect you with mental health resources if needed.

Frequently asked questions

Is my ACE score permanent?
While your childhood experiences cannot be changed, the impact of those experiences on your health can be addressed. Treatment, therapy, support groups, and healthy coping strategies can help reduce the health risks associated with high ACE scores.
Will my ACE score be shared with anyone?
Your ACE questionnaire responses are typically kept confidential as part of your medical record. Healthcare providers use this information to better care for you and do not share your specific answers with employers, insurance companies, or family members without your explicit permission.
What if I don't remember my childhood experiences accurately?
It's normal not to remember everything from childhood. Answer as best as you can based on what you do recall. Even partial information is valuable for your healthcare provider to understand potential health risks.
Can having a high ACE score be treated?
Yes, there are many effective treatments available. These include therapy (such as trauma-informed therapy), stress management techniques, support groups, and lifestyle interventions. Your healthcare provider can help connect you with appropriate resources.
  1. 1
    CDC - Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)Source
  2. 2
    ACEs Too High - Understanding ACEsSource
  3. 3
    Kaiser ACE Study - Original ResearchSource

Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy