Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a new online tool that allows you to determine your so-called heart age. Unlike standard calculators that display the probability of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a percentage, this service converts data into a more intuitive metric: age.
If your heart is 5-10 years "older" than your actual age, this could be a warning sign. The method is based on the American Heart Association's existing PREVENT system, which estimates the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure within the next 10 years.
The researchers tested the system on over 14,000 Americans aged 30-79 without cardiovascular disease. On average, women's hearts were 4 years older (55.4 vs 51.3), and men's hearts were 7 years older (56.7 vs 49.7). The disparity was even greater among low-income and less educated individuals, as well as representatives of some ethnic groups.
Higher "heart age" is often associated with higher blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and other factors that can be corrected through lifestyle or treatment. The authors emphasize that the tool does not replace medical diagnosis but simply helps make it easier to explain risk to patients.
