Heart disease is a leading cause of death globally, which is why it is crucial to assess your risk for this condition and take steps to lower it. One way to evaluate your risk is to determine your heart age.
This is a simple test that compares your actual age to the “age” of your heart based on your health status and risk factors for heart disease.
The younger your heart age is in comparison to your actual age, the healthier your heart is, and the lower your risk for heart disease.
On the other hand, if your heart age is older than your actual age, you need to take immediate action to prevent heart disease.
How is Your Heart Age Calculated?
Several factors are taken into account to determine your heart age, including:.
- Your age
- Your blood pressure
- Your cholesterol levels
- If you smoke cigarettes
- If you have diabetes
- If you have had a heart attack or stroke, or if a close relative has had heart disease
These risk factors are used to calculate your risk score, which is then compared to the average score of someone your age and sex. Your heart age is the age of an average person with a similar score.
Take the Test
Please answer the following questions to calculate your heart age:.
- How old are you?
- What is your blood pressure? (If you don’t know, you can use a blood pressure monitor at a pharmacy or clinic.)
- What is your total cholesterol level? (You may need to have a blood test to get this information.)
- Do you smoke cigarettes?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Have you had a heart attack or stroke, or do you have a first-degree relative under 55 years old who has had heart disease?
Once you have answered the questions, add up your points according to the table below:.
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Quiz: Find out your heart age
| Risk Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age (years) | |
| Gender | |
| Blood Pressure | |
| Cholesterol Level | |
| Smoking | |
| Diabetes | |
| Family History | |
| Total |
Now that you have your total points, use the chart below to find your heart age:.
| Heart Age | Total Points |
|---|---|
| Your Actual Age | 0-4 |
| 1 year older | 5-6 |
| 2 years older | 7-8 |
| 3 years older | 9-11 |
| 4 years older | 12-14 |
| 5 years older | 15-17 |
| 6 years older | 18-20 |
| 7 years older | 21-23 |
| 8 years older | 24-26 |
| 9 years older | 27-29 |
| 10 years or more older | 30+ |
What Does Your Heart Age Mean?
If your heart age is the same or younger than your actual age, congratulations! This means your heart is healthy and you don’t have a high risk for heart disease.
However, you still need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent heart disease from developing in the future.
If your heart age is older than your actual age, this means you have a higher than average risk for heart disease. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:.
- Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress.
- Lower blood pressure: If your blood pressure is high, work with your doctor to bring it down through medication and lifestyle changes.
- Lower cholesterol: If your cholesterol is high, eat a healthy diet and consider taking cholesterol-lowering medication.
- Manage diabetes: If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to manage your blood sugar levels and other health conditions.
- Take medication if prescribed: If you have had a heart attack or stroke, or if you have other high-risk factors for heart disease, your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce your risk.
Taking these steps can help reduce your risk of heart disease and lower your heart age.
Conclusion
Knowing your heart age is an important step in protecting your heart health. By taking this simple test, you can determine your risk for heart disease and take proactive steps to reduce it.
Whether your heart age is younger or older than your actual age, it is never too late to make positive changes to improve your heart health.
