Your chronological age is the number of years you’ve been alive. But, did you know that your heart might be older or younger than your chronological age?.

Your heart health is an essential indicator of your overall health. If you have a health condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, your heart may be older than your chronological age.

If you lead a healthy lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise and eating a balanced diet, your heart may be younger than your chronological age.

Calculating your heart age can give you an idea of how well you’re taking care of your heart and may motivate you to make lifestyle changes that can improve your heart health. Here’s how to do it:.

1. Know Your Numbers

The first step in calculating your heart age is to know your numbers. You’ll need to know your:.

Blood pressure: Your blood pressure is a measure of the force of your blood against your artery walls. A blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg or less is considered normal.
Cholesterol levels: Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood. High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. You’ll need to know your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), and LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol).
Blood glucose level: Your blood glucose level is a measure of your blood sugar level. High blood glucose levels can indicate diabetes or an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Height and weight: Your body mass index (BMI), which is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared, can indicate whether your weight is in a healthy range.
Smoking status: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. If you smoke, you’re more likely to have an older heart age than your chronological age.

2. Use a Calculator

Once you have your numbers, you can use an online heart age calculator to determine your heart age. These calculators compare your risk factors for heart disease with the risk factors of people who have had heart attacks or strokes.

The calculator will give you a heart age, which is the age of someone with similar risk factors who has had a heart attack or stroke.

3. Interpret Your Results

If your heart age is the same as your chronological age, that’s great news! It means you’re taking good care of your heart.

If your heart age is older than your chronological age, it means your risk factors for heart disease are higher than average. You’ll need to talk to your doctor about what you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease.

If your heart age is younger than your chronological age, congratulations! It means you’re doing a great job of taking care of your heart. Keep up the good work!.

4. Take Action

If your heart age is older than your chronological age, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease:.

Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your heart health.
Eat healthy: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Get active: Regular exercise can help keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of heart disease.
Manage stress: Chronic stress can increase your risk of heart disease. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, meditation, or talking to a therapist.

Calculating your heart age can be a wake-up call to take better care of your heart. By knowing your numbers, using a heart age calculator, and taking action, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and live a longer, healthier life.