There isn't a single, universally agreed-upon definition of "true heart age." Instead, it's a concept used to estimate cardiovascular health relative to chronological age. A heart age calculator uses various factors (lifestyle choices, medical history, genetics) to determine how healthy your heart is compared to others of the same age. Ideally, your heart age should be the same as or younger than your actual age.
Understanding Heart Age
- Heart age is not a precise medical measurement like blood pressure. It's a risk assessment tool.
- It reflects your risk of heart attack or stroke, not the actual age of your heart tissue.
- Higher heart age than chronological age indicates increased risk. A significant difference suggests lifestyle changes may be beneficial.
Typical Discrepancies
Research indicates a common disparity between heart age and chronological age:
- Men: Typically have a heart age 8 years older than their actual age.
- Women: Typically have a heart age 4 years older than their actual age. (Source: Everbetter.rochester.edu, Feb 7, 2018)
These are averages and individual results vary significantly. Many online calculators, like the one provided by the NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-heart-age), and the Heart Foundation (https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-age-calculator), allow you to estimate your own heart age based on personal factors.
Improving Heart Age
Reducing the gap between your heart age and chronological age frequently involves lifestyle modifications:
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Not smoking
- Managing stress
The CDC also highlights that most US adults have a heart age older than their actual age, emphasizing the importance of heart health awareness. (Source: CDC VitalSigns: Heart Age, Sept 1, 2015)
