New research reveals the average American's heart is years older than their actual age. A top cardiologist offers four simple tips to stay young at heart.
Your heart might be aging much faster than you are, potentially increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. According to new research from Northwestern University, most Americans have a "heart age" four to seven years older than their calendar age. A leading cardiologist explains how to check your own heart age and shares simple tips to keep it young.
Dr. Sadiya Khan, the preventive cardiologist who led the research, said the concept of "heart age" was developed to make health risks easier for people to understand. Traditionally, doctors use percentages to convey the risk of heart disease, but this can be confusing. "It's a challenging piece of information to communicate and grasp," Khan said. "What does it mean to have a risk of 7.5%?" By translating this risk into a more relatable "age," the tool aims to empower individuals to take action.
The research, which studied 14,000 adults, found that risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and sedentary lifestyles are causing people's hearts to age prematurely. On average, women's hearts were four years older than their chronological age, while men's were seven years older. The gap was even wider—up to 10 years—for people with lower incomes and education levels. You can check your own heart age for free using an online calculator developed by Khan's team.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US, making proactive health management critical. The Northwestern University heart age calculator was created as a public health tool to motivate healthier behavior by presenting risk in a clear, personal context. Dr. Khan emphasized that the calculator is a motivational tool, not a standalone diagnostic one, and advises people to discuss their results and health plan with their doctor.
Knowing your heart age is the first step, but taking action is what matters. Dr. Khan provides four key tips to improve or maintain your heart health:
Stop Smoking: Quitting smoking is the single most impactful change you can make."If your heart age is a good spot, it's about strategies to maintain it," Khan said, highlighting that these habits are crucial for everyone, regardless of their current heart health.
Disclaimer: The health tips shared on this blog are for
informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical
advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to
your health routine. Content is based on publicly available sources and edited
for clarity.
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