Your birth certificate says 45 but your heart may be 55: Study shows how Americans' hearts are ageing faster than them
What is 'risk age' and why it matters
The study, based on data from over 14,000 adults, introduces a new concept called 'risk age', a way of communicating heart disease risk not through percentages, but by comparing a person's heart to that of someone in perfect cardiovascular health.
Study reveals that many Americans have hearts that function years older than their actual age. (Pixabay)
Researchers found striking disparities based on socioeconomic status. Adults with only a high school education or less showed significantly older heart ages, up to 10 years older in some cases. Income mattered even more: lower-income men had hearts ageing more than 8 years ahead of their age, and nearly 1 in 3 had heart ages 10+ years older.
Impact of education, income and race on heart ageing
Non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest gaps, especially men, whose hearts aged an average of 8.5 years beyond their chronological age. Hispanic and Asian adults also showed disparities, but Asian women had the smallest gap, less than three years.
Instead of saying a patient has a 15 percent risk of heart disease, doctors can now say their heart functions like someone a decade older. This 'risk age' method may help younger adults understand their health risks more clearly and encourage better prevention efforts.
While individual choices matter, the research highlights how education and income levels shape heart health deeply. The findings call for not just lifestyle changes, but systemic solutions to close the cardiovascular health gap in America.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Colon cancer sees rapid surge in young adults; US Gastroenterologist recommends 4 fruits to slash colon cancer risk
Doctors in recent years have noticed an alarming trend: colon cancer, once considered a condition primarily affecting older adults, is now being diagnosed more frequently in individuals under the age of 50. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the colon or rectum. It's one of the most common types of cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Thanks to obesity and alcohol consumption, bowel cancer has become the primary cause of the rising death toll among young adults. The colon and rectum are both parts of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive system. Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp inside the colon or rectum. Most colorectal cancers are curable when localized to the bowel. However, recurrence following surgery is a major problem and is often the ultimate cause of death. Colorectal cancer can develop when cells in the colon or rectum change and no longer behave normally. These changes can lead to precancerous conditions, such as adenomas, or colorectal cancer itself. The most common type of colorectal cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in the gland cells that line the colon or rectum. Colorectal cancer, the most common gastrointestinal cancer, disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian populations. According to the American Cancer Society , colon cancer impacts more than 100,000 Americans every year. However, healthcare providers are relentlessly trying to draw our attention to the kind of lifestyle—including dietary habits, workouts, and sleeping patterns—that could be our ally in order to prevent colon cancer, especially in young adults. In this fight to prevent this aggressive type of cancer, nature's basket must be our go-to, instead of processed and ultra-processed foods. A US-based Gastroenterologist, Joseph Salhab, D.O. , recently shared a list of nutrition-packed fruits and vegetables that have been shown to reduce colon cancer risk, per a 2023 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Fruits to reduce the risk of colon cancer (when and how to eat them) Watermelon More than just a summertime favorite, watermelon may offer real health benefits, including a 26% reduction in colon cancer risk with regular consumption, according to recent findings. Gastroenterologists recommend the fruit for its high lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant believed to protect cells from damage. Best time to eat: Mid‑morning or afternoon snack, to both hydrate and curb cravings. Spruce it up: As Dr. Salhab highlights, watermelon is also incredibly hydrating, which supports digestive health and promotes regular bowel movements. Try it in savory dishes like a Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad, or enjoy its natural sweetness in a refreshing No-Churn Watermelon Ice Cream. Apples The saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may hold more truth than expected. Rich in gut-friendly fiber, apples have been shown to reduce colon cancer risk by 25% when consumed in higher amounts. They also contain polyphenols, which Dr. Salhab notes offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Best time to eat: Raw as breakfast or after lunch. Spruce it up: Apples are not only portable and satisfying on their own, but also versatile in meals, from salads and overnight oats to a classic snack with peanut butter for a fiber and protein-rich combo. Kiwi With a potential to lower colorectal cancer risk by 13% , kiwi is another fruit that shines in both nutrition and taste. Dr. Salhab calls it an excellent source of fiber, helping to support digestion. It's also loaded with vitamin C, which plays a role in immune function, heart health, and skin repair. Best time to eat: With breakfast or as part of fruit bowls to kickstart digestion. Spruce it up: While kiwi adds brightness to fruit salads and yogurt bowls, it also pairs beautifully with savory fare, like in Easy Fish Tacos with Kiwi Salsa. Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes) Including more citrus fruits in your diet, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and tangerines, may also contribute to lower colon cancer risk, with studies showing a 9% decrease linked to higher citrus intake. These fruits are loaded with vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant to help neutralize free radicals and possibly minimize DNA damage. Best time to eat: Fresh citrus juice or whole fruit in the morning or midday. Spruce it up: Citrus also provides flavonoids, a type of polyphenol that may slow aging, reduce inflammation, and support cancer prevention. Celebrate warm weather and gut health with a Citrus Salad with Pomegranate & Mint, or repurpose scraps into a zero-waste Orange Peel Smoothie. Why fruits are a great ally in cancer prevention While dietary fiber and plant-based foods are known to reduce colorectal cancer risk, not all fruits are equal. A 2023 meta-analysis found protective associations specifically for citrus, apples, watermelon, and kiwi. Compared to a low intake: Watermelon reduced risk by 26% Apples by 25% Kiwi by 13% Citrus by 9%, with an optimal intake of around 120 g/day However, it is important to note that while fruit can play a supportive role, no single food can prevent or cure cancer. An amalgamation of protective habits, like consuming a high-fiber, plant-rich diet, combined with exercise, well-managed weight, and minimal alcohol, is essential. High-fiber, plant-rich diets are associated with significantly lower colorectal cancer risk; every extra 10 grams of fiber daily may reduce risk by about 7%. Cutting processed and red meats, sugary drinks, ultraprocessed foods, and limiting alcohol is essential, increasing risk by up to 40% in some studies. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly helps reduce inflammation and the risk of digestive cancer. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Radioactive horns: South Africa's bold approach to rhino conservation
In a world-first effort to combat the ruthless poaching of rhinos, scientists in South Africa have developed a groundbreaking method: injecting rhino horns with radioactive material. The initiative, known as the Rhisotope Project, is the brainchild of researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) and marks a bold, science-driven attempt to save one of Africa's most iconic animals. South Africa is home to the largest population of rhinos in the world—particularly white rhinos and the critically endangered black rhinos. Yet, this very distinction has turned the country into a poaching hotspot. According to conservation charity Save the Rhino , over 400 rhinos have been poached in South Africa every year since 2021, driven by illegal trade networks that stretch from African parks to Asian markets. Read more: After humans, this mammal rules the Earth, and 5 countries with its thriving population (no, not cows!) Rhino horns are highly sought after in parts of Asia, where they are believed to have medicinal properties and are also viewed as luxury status symbols. The lucrative black market has made it difficult for governments and conservationists to keep pace. A radioactive breakthrough Enter the Rhisotope Project, a six-year research effort that cost roughly £220,000 ($290,000) and involved collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The method involves injecting a tiny amount of radioactive isotope into a rhino's horn, a process that has been rigorously tested and deemed completely safe for the animals. Wits University professor James Larkin, one of the key figures behind the project, told the BBC that the innovation shifts the approach from reactive to proactive. 'At least one animal a day is still being poached,' he said. 'This is a significant tool to help reduce the numbers of poaching.' The idea is not to harm anyone who touches the horn but to make the horn detectable by radiation monitors at ports, airports, and border crossings. Customs officers, who already use radiation detectors for other security purposes, could easily identify smuggled rhino horns—even those hidden inside massive 40-foot shipping containers. Pilot study The initial pilot involved 20 rhinos, all of whom responded well to the treatment. Larkin confirmed the material was 'completely safe' and did not harm the animals. The team's success in proving that the radioactive horns can be tracked through international freight systems marks a pivotal moment in the fight against wildlife trafficking. Jessica Babich, head of the Rhisotope Project, emphasized the scale of their ambition: 'Our goal is to deploy the Rhisotope technology at scale to help protect one of Africa's most iconic and threatened species. By doing so, we safeguard not just rhinos but a vital part of our natural heritage.' Read more: 5 snake parks in India that are absolutely fang-tastic and what makes them special Conservationist Jamie Joseph, director of Saving the Wild , called the project 'innovative and much needed.' She noted that while this solution isn't the 'endgame,' it can still disrupt smuggling networks and help experts better understand trafficking routes through hard data. 'It will certainly help disrupt the flow of horns leaving the country and help experts better map out the illegal channels by providing reliable data,' she added. Despite its promise, the Rhisotope Project is not a silver bullet. Activists and scientists alike stress the need for stronger laws, enforcement, and political will. Without these structural changes, even the most advanced technologies may only offer short-term deterrence. Still, the Rhisotope Project represents a rare intersection of nuclear science, conservation, and real-world impact—an example of how innovation can step into spaces where policy and enforcement have lagged. As poachers use more sophisticated tools, so tools used to fight them are also being enhanced. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Healthy Living Helps the Aging Brain
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association makes a compelling case that a healthy lifestyle does an aging brain good. That might sound obvious. Eat well, exercise, challenge yourself mentally, have an active social life and you'll be better off for it. Yet researchers are just starting to offer concrete data to support the theory that making conscientious lifestyle changes can lower the risk of dementia, which is estimated to affect some 6 million Americans. But the message that people have some agency over their brain health must be paired with another one: They need help. Changing deeply ingrained habits is hard. However, the research suggests that building a supportive community around individuals could significantly improve their chances for success. The so-called 'POINTER' trial enrolled more than 2,000 participants in their 60s and 70s, all of whom were at risk for dementia. Researchers followed the volunteers over two years as they embarked on lifestyle changes. The participants had a lot of room for improvement; none of them exercised regularly, and they all had poor diets. The volunteers were divided into two groups: One set its own priorities, while the other took part in a highly structured program that included regular exercise, a specific diet, computer-based brain games, social activities and community support. Remarkably, participants in both groups saw significant improvements in their cognitive health. But the group that received the more intensive intervention held back the aging clock by even more, says Laura Baker, a gerontologist at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a principal investigator of the study. This large trial gives weight to a growing body of work underscoring the connection between lifestyle and cognitive health. That link was highlighted in a study commissioned by The Lancet that found nearly half of all dementia cases worldwide could be delayed or attenuated by focusing on specific aspects of our health. The Lancet team identified more than a dozen risk factors, including hearing and vision loss, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, social isolation and exposure to air pollution. There are caveats to the new findings. In an accompanying editorial, Jonathan Schott, a neurologist at the Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London, raised the question of whether the modest difference in benefit between the two groups was enough to justify the cost of the more rigorous intervention in a real-world setting. He also noted that further research needs to be done to determine whether improvements in brain health are sustained over time — and whether they ultimately lead to a lower incidence of dementia and a better quality of life. Answers to some of those questions are hopefully coming soon. In December, researchers will report some data from a series of side studies conducted as part of the trial, examining how various lifestyle interventions affected factors such as sleep, vascular health, gut health and markers of Alzheimer's disease in the brain. Meanwhile, the research team is following the participants for another four years to see whether folks stick with the changes they made — and determine whether even a temporary intervention can have longer-term benefits for brain health. But even before we have more data, enough evidence exists to suggest that it's long past time to give older folks more support as they age. It's not enough for doctors to give people a to-do list and hope they follow through. 'Just because you have the prescription, doesn't mean you can do it,' Baker says. People who are at risk of dementia are struggling for a reason, she says, and they both need and deserve help. The community support offered to the group that saw the most benefit in the POINTER trial was a crucial component of their success. 'The whole investigator team feels like if you were to cut out the social component, we would have nothing to report,' she says. 'We're asking people to create new habits,' and that's hard to do on your own. Phyllis Jones, a 66-year-old from Aurora, Illinois, who was part of the structured intervention group, said the peer support has given her a community and purpose. 'I gained a network of incredible people — friends, mentors, and fellow advocates,' she told reporters at a conference in Toronto where the results were unveiled. The effect of the intervention was so profound — she lowered her blood sugar and cholesterol, lost weight and relieved joint pain — that she now refers to herself as 'Phyllis-BP' (Before POINTER) and 'Phyllis-AP' (After POINTER). The question, of course, is how to recreate what Jones and others experienced within the confines of a rigorous clinical trial for older adults living in the real world. Their exact intensive program is likely to be impractical and too expensive to replicate. Moreover, the kind of community network that is embraced by one city might fall flat in another. To that end, the Alzheimer's Association — which has already invested $50 million in the study — is in the process of awarding grants to 10 cities, including the five that were in the initial trial, to understand how community-based support could work within local health care systems. Jones's experience also highlights the importance of helping people take charge of their health as they age. Both her mother and grandmother had dementia, and she believes the trial has sparked a generational shift in behavior. 'This program has transformed not only my attitudes and behaviors towards brain health, but also those of my daughter,' and in turn her granddaughter, she says. That seems like an investment worth making. More From Bloomberg Opinion: This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News. More stories like this are available on
