Is your heart aging faster than you? US cardiologists develop tool to calculate the actual 'heart age'
Do you think your heart's the same age as your calendar age? Think again.
A team of US cardiologists has launched a free online tool that calculates your cardiovascular 'heart age' using familiar health metrics, like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes status, kidney function, and smoking history.
The system translates complex cardiovascular risk into a simple age, making it easier to understand and take action. Launched alongside a large nationwide study of over 14,000 adults (aged 30-79), the tool reveals many Americans have hearts aging faster than expected.
Here's how it works, who's most affected, and what you can do to turn back the clock.
What the study revealed
Researchers at Northwestern University published their findings on July 30 in
JAMA Cardiology
, using the PREVENT risk equations developed by the
American Heart Association
.
These modern equations incorporate routine health data and reflect diverse populations more accurately than older models like Framingham. When applied to participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2020), the tool revealed that over 50% of adults have 'heart ages' that exceed their actual age.
What exactly is 'heart age'?
Heart age refers to the estimated age of a person's cardiovascular system based on their risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and physical inactivity.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Hiranandani Fortune City: At Panvel, Mumbai: 2BHK: 1.05 Cr*
Hiranandani Fortune City
Enquire Now
Undo
It's a way to understand how lifestyle and health choices affect the health of your heart, potentially making it older or younger than your actual age.
The 'heart age' calculator
The study led by Dr. Sadiya Khan of Northwestern University introduced the
tool
in JAMA Cardiology, basing it on the PREVENT risk model, an updated alternative to older frameworks like the Framingham Risk Score. The online calculator translates users' routine health data into a 'heart age' score that aims to make cardiovascular risk more relatable and actionable, especially in busy primary care settings.
The shocking truth about most Americans' 'heart age'
Using data from over 14,000 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the study found:
Women averaged a heart age of 55.4, while their actual age averaged 51.3
Men averaged a heart age of 56.7, compared to an actual age of 49.7
That means many Americans could have hearts that are 4-7 years older than their birth certificate suggests.
Sociodemographic factors sharpened the disparity. On average, Black men had a heart age that was 8.5 years older than their chronological age while Black women's hearts were 6.2 years older than their actual age.
Hispanic men had a gap of 7.9 years between their heart age and actual age, compared to a gap of 4.8 years for Hispanic women. Lower education levels (especially high school or less) were associated with wider heart-age gaps, often exceeding a decade.
Meanwhile, white men had an average heart age that was 6.4 years higher than their actual age. And white women had a gap of 3.7 years between their heart age and chronological age.
Why 'heart age' resonates (better than percentages)
Traditional risk models offer a percentage chance of a cardiovascular event, something like an '8% risk in 10 years.' But those numbers can feel abstract and fail to motivate many patients.
On the other hand, describing cardiovascular risk in terms of 'heart age' helps people understand how their habits and health metrics stack up.
Preventive cardiologist Dr. Sadiya Khan explains that this age-based framing motivates actionable conversations and encourages preventive steps earlier, especially in younger adults who may overlook long-term risk.
Experts' take
As reported by Today, while "it's probably not that meaningful if your age is off by one or two years," says Dr. Sadiya Khan. The authors of the research recommend getting concerned if the gap is five years or more.
As per Dr. Khan, "Heart disease is the leading cause of death. So the gaps that we're seeing are similar to gaps in life expectancy and may be contributing to it."
"Because the (heart ages) are based on 10-year risks, this is a little bit of a forecast," Khan explains.
And the data is "likely pointing to worsening cardiovascular disease risk if we're seeing gaps in even young people," she says.
On the flip side, some people had heart ages that were actually lower than their chronological age, which Khan describes as "the Holy Grail." That's likely thanks, at least in part, to genetics, which means it's not totally within our control, she says.
Aiming for a heart age that's younger than your chronological age is probably overly optimistic, Khan says, but knowing that it's possible makes it a worthy goal.
How does the calculator work (and what are the limitations)
The tool requires a few metrics to calculate your heart age, such as:
Age, sex
Blood pressure (systolic)
Cholesterol levels
Diabetes and smoking status
Kidney health (eGFR)
Use of blood pressure medications
It is tailored for adults 30-79 years old with no existing cardiovascular disease, and is designed for educational use, not to replace physician evaluation. Experts caution that the tool does not account for physical fitness, exercise habits, or women-specific cardiovascular risk factors such as pregnancy-related complications or menopause
How to slow down the heart's aging
To slow down the heart's aging process and reduce the risk of heart disease, focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Regular health checkups are also crucial for early detection and management of any potential heart issues.
Research suggests, even modest changes, such as walking regularly or improving diet, can bring your heart age closer to or even below your actual age over time.
Faster pace of walking lowers risk of heart failure in postmenopausal women: Research Study
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Vitamin A deficiency: Signs, symptoms, and importance
The body relies on a delicate balance of nutrients and essential vitamins. When something is off inside our bodies, it signals us in ways we often tend to overlook. As simple as acne, can be an indicator if something is not working properly. Now imagine a vitamin being deficient in one's body. The signs can be subtle at first, but impactful over time. Vitamin A, along with other vitamins that are required for proper functioning of the body is an essential micronutrient (vitamins that are needed in a small amount by the body), meaning that is it not manufactured by our bodies; we need to ingest it in the form of food, hence it is an important inclusion in our diet. Of course, consuming a healthy diet is important but when and how to consume what is equally important. Food items taken at the wrong hours in the day can have unfavorable outcomes. What is Vitamin A, and why is it important Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in numerous food items. Most of us know this vitamin for its important for a normal vision, a healthy immune system and growth and development of our bodies. In addition to this, it can also help in the proper functioning of our heart, lungs and other bodily organs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Never Put Eggs In The Refrigerator. Here's Why... Car Novels Undo There are two different types of Vitamin A (National Institutes of Health): Performed Vitamin A: Mostly found in organ meats and seafood and dairy products. Provitamin A carotenoids: These are plant pigments that include are plant pigments that include beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Our bodies convert provitamin A carotenoids into Vitamin A for our bodies in the intestines via beta-carotene. Mostly found in fruits, veggies and plant-based sources. Why it matters Vitamin A serves many vital functions such as: Immune system and barrier integrity Research has shown that crucial immune organs need constant dietary intake to maintain VitA concentrations, and RA was previously shown both to promote the proliferation and to regulate the apoptosis of thymocytes (National Library of Medicine). It is known to enhance the organism's immune function and provide a natural defence against multiple infectious diseases. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of the immune system,it has shown multiple demonstrations of even having therapeutic effects, to some extent, in the diseases transmitted through respiratory system such as pneumonia, measles or contagious issues such as infant diarrhea, hand foot and mouth disease. Vision and eye health The concentration of Vitamin A, is the highest in the eye tissue, reaching as high as 3 millimolar in the retina (National Library of Medicine). Vitamin A have a very potent substance found in them called Retinoid, that are responsible for cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis, including the embryonic development and normal metabolism of the eye. Vitamin A is essential for forming visual pigment(rhodopsin) in the retinal cells, enabling low-light vision. Its deficiency can lead to irreversible corneal damage and even blindness. Skin and Mucosal Health As published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology, Vitamin A is required for the proliferation and maturation of epithelial cells lining mucosal surfaces. Its deficiency can impair with epithelial integrity and antigen uptake capacity of the mucosa. It also regulates gene expression in skincells, provides hydration and resilience in the body. If vitamin A is lacking in your body, it can increase skin inflammation and dryness. Growth, development and reproduction Based on the research article Vitamin A in reproduction and development published in National Library of Medicine, Vitamin A, through its active metabolite and retinoic acid, plays a fundamental role in embryonic development, organ formation and reproduction. It regulates gene expression critical for heart, lung, and kidney development, as well as neural and limb patterning. Signs of Vitamin A deficiency Night blindness: The eye's ability to see in low lighting diminishes over a period of time, and this is one of the earliest signs of vitamin A deficiency. Bitot's spots: They are typically dry-appearing triangular patches of xerosed conjunctiva with a layer of foam on the surface which is caused by a buildup of keratin. Dry eyes (xerophthalmia): The eyes may feel dry, irritated, or unable to produce enough tears, which can lead to further complications. And as Vitamin A does wonders for the immune system, lack of it in the body can put us on a radar of infections such as respiratory infections or delay in wound healing.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rising cost of cancer treatment driving families to financial ruin, forcing dropouts; experts at Kolkata meet call for affordable cancer care, early detection & insurance
Cancer treatment costs in India are pushing families into financial distress, with out-of-pocket expenses averaging Rs 3.3 lakh annually, leading to treatment dropouts KOLKATA: The rising cost of cancer treatment is increasingly driving families towards financial ruin, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like India, cancer experts and researchers have warned. Out-of-pocket expenditure has reached an average of Rs 3.3 lakh per household annually, resulting in numerous treatment dropouts. A breakdown of expenses reveals non-medical spend - accommodation (18.6%), food (17.9%) and travel (7.2%) - are adding to medical costs like systemic therapy (19.7%), radiotherapy (13%), surgery (9.7%) and investigation (8.2%). These issues were highlighted at a recent meet in Kolkata attended by doctors, researchers and policymakers where the participants focused primarily on the high cost of cancer care and the necessity to drastically reduce it to save families from financial calamity. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata India records approximately 18.5 lakh new cancer cases annually and about 9.1 lakh deaths each year. In Bengal, about one lakh new cancer patients are diagnosed every year, with approximately 49,000 deaths. The most prevalent cancers in the state include breast, lung, oral, cervix and prostate. "Catastrophic health exp-enditure is a reality for a majority of cancer patients in India," said surgical oncologist Soumen Das, adding that a broken financing system and skyrocketing drug prices were the key contributors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Secret to Never Losing Anything Again? This Little Black Dot dailygadgetreviews Undo Experts said new drugs and technologies, along with profit margins of health facilities, were the main contributors to the soaring cancer treatment bill. Oncosurgeon Arnab Gupta, medical director at Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute, Thakurpukur, said bulk purchase through the National Cancer Grid could bring down the cost of drugs. Docs stress early cancer detection, insurance cover Doctors at the conference also stressed the importance of public awareness and community-based screening for early detection and the need for universal insurance schemes to reduce expenditure. Swapan Saren, Bengal health services director said, "We need to be empathetic towards patients. Apart from the physical sufferings, cancer causes mental trauma and financial drainage. Therefore, the patient and family members deserve greater support and transparency." The multi-pronged approaches discussed at the meet included patient-centric financing schemes and systemic changes aimed at equitable access, including socialised and contributory insurance models. Experts noted that countries with such models had demonstrated reduced out-of-pocket expenditure and increased treatment completion rates. One of the solutions proposed was short-term employment of family members as caregivers for patients undergoing long-term treatments. This would help families sustain themselves economically during prolonged hospital stays, experts said. Organised by SH Binayak Hospital in association with Oncocare, Cancer Care & Cure Society of West Bengal, Asian Medical Foundation and Institute of Breast Diseases Kolkata, the meet was attended by cancer specialists including PN Mahapatra, Sayantan Mukhopadhyay, Tanmoy K Mandal, Soumen Das, Debjoy Sau, Sukhamoy Barik and Anwar Ali Mallick. Sneha Sparsha, a homecare service for cancer patients by the hospital, was launched during the conclave.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Milk to salad dressing: 6 foods that appear to be ‘healthy', but destroy gut health
Many foods marketed as healthy can negatively impact gut health. A gastroenterologist warns against snack bars, sugar-free gums, and store-bought salad dressings due to hidden sugars, artificial sweeteners, and inflammatory oils. Flavored yogurts and granola are also culprits, while milk in coffee can cause discomfort for some. Eating healthy foods is now considered more important than ever, as your overall health largely depends on it. But in the quest for nutritious foods, many fall for misleading marketing. Many foods marketed as 'healthy' can wreak havoc on your well-being, especially gut health. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist, has now warned about some of the foods that are often assumed 'healthy', but aren't. 'I'm a gut doctor, and some foods may look harmless but silently disrupt your gut microbiome. Here's what I skip and what I eat instead,' he said, sharing a list of foods. From milk to salad dressings, here are six foods you should avoid to protect your gut health. Snack bars Snack bars, including protein bars, often masquerade as healthy options, but what we hardly notice is that they are ultra-processed and loaded with sugars, and additives. Dr. Sethi says they are nothing but 'candy bars in disguise'. He stresses that these bars are loaded with emulsifiers, fake fiber, and seed oils. They destroy the healthy gut microbiome balance. Over time, these ingredients will leave you bloated and disrupt digestion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Dr. Sethi suggests swapping processed bars for a handful of nuts or fresh fruits. You can pair them with natural nut butter. These provide fiber, healthy fats, and nutrients that benefit the gut. Sugar-free gums If you are reaching for sugar-free gums because you have cut sugar from your diet, it's a mistake. Sugar-free gums are worse than the regular varieties because the former is loaded with artificial sweeteners, like sorbitol, which can wreak havoc. 'They can trigger gas, bloating, and even diarrhea,' Dr. Sethi explains. That doesn't mean you forget about refreshing your mouth. Consider using natural alternatives like fennel seeds after meals. 'I take them daily,' the doctor said. Fennel seeds may also help digestion. Salad dressings Do you buy salad dressings from stores? Well, it's time to rethink your choice. Store-bought salad dressings may be convenient, and often come with bold claims like 'healthy', or 'no trans fat', but they are loaded with additives that harm your gut health. 'Even 'healthy' ones are often full of inflammatory oils and added sugars,' Dr. Sethi says. What can you do? Make your salad dressing at home. Add ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and some fresh herbs, and enjoy a nutritious and healthy dressing for your salad. And it's cheaper than the store-bought ones. Yogurts We are obsessed with yogurts now, thanks to their influencers and wellness gurus. Yes, yogurts are good for your gut health, due to their probiotic content. However, if you reach for flavoured yogurts, it kills most of the benefits. Dr. Sethi stresses that most of these flavoured yogurts are marketed as healthy, 'but often loaded with added sugars and artificial flavours.' Instead of flavoured varieties, pick the good old plain Greek yogurt and add berries, cinnamon, and chia seeds to make it more delicious and nutritious. Milk in coffee Yes, that's right. For some, adding milk to the coffee can do more harm than good. 'Lactose can be irritating for sensitive guts and trigger bloating or discomfort,' Dr. Sethi says. Instead, stick to plain black coffee. If you like milk in your coffee, go for almond milk, and add some cinnamon powder for a sweet boost. 'Kahin Bada, Kahin Chhota': Ravi Kishan Uses Samosa Analogy To Demand Regulation Of Food Prices Granola Millions of people across the world have granola for breakfast. This breakfast staple is considered healthy, but guess what? It isn't really. Most of the granola you buy is packed with added sugars, making it worse for your gut than some desserts, because excess sugar feeds the harmful bacteria, leading to inflammation. Dr. Sethi suggests opting for steel-cut oats or plain yogurt with berries and chia.
