What is Heart Age?
Heart age is an estimation of your cardiovascular system's age based on your risk factor profile. It compares your risk of having a heart attack or stroke to the risk of someone with a specific chronological age.
If your heart age is higher than your actual age, it indicates an increased risk. If it is lower, your cardiovascular risk is lower than average for your age group.
Factors that Affect Heart Age
This calculator considers several key modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors:
- High Blood Pressure: Forces your heart to work harder than normal, which can thicken the heart muscle and lead to stiffness.
- Smoking: Damages the lining of the arteries and reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood.
- Cholesterol: High levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol can build up in the arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels over time can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart.
- Gender: Men are generally at higher risk at a younger age than women, though a woman's risk increases significantly after menopause.
How to Lower Your Heart Age
The good news is that you can often improve your heart age by making lifestyle changes:
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
- Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Reduce salt and saturated fats.
- Quit Smoking: The risk of heart attack drops dramatically within just one year of quitting.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure.
Disclaimer: This tool provides an estimate based on general statistical data. It is not a medical diagnosis. Always consult a healthcare professional for accurate medical advice and heart health screenings.