Biological age may not be the only number to consider when predicting longevity. ‘Heart age’ should also be taken into account, experts warn.
The so-called heart age reflects a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, based on various risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and the presence of diseases such as diabetes.
Doctors say Americans should aim for a heart age that is even one year younger than their biological age to give them the best chance of living a long, healthy life.
however,According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American adult has a heart that is about seven years older than theirs.
The concept of “heart age” was developed by the scientists behind the Framingham Heart Study, which has followed more than 575,000 residents of suburban Boston for nearly 70 years and analyzed risk factors for heart disease.
Because heart age is influenced, at least in part, by weight, smoking history, and other modifiable risk factors, this means that advanced heart age can be reversed.
“This represents a 10-year risk for cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Seth Jacobson, a cardiologist at the University of Rochester. When we translate it into age, we can see how family history and personal choices influence our minds. ”
There are many online calculators available to help people over 30 better understand their cardiovascular health. All of these ask users to enter their age, weight, and height to calculate their BMI.
Users also need to know their systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is often superimposed on top of other lower numbers representing diastolic blood pressure.
The calculator also asks if the user has type 2 diabetes, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease. In fact, patients with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Users also need to know their total and HDL cholesterol levels.
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is often referred to as a type of “good” cholesterol because it carries fatty substances that restrict blood flow to the liver and remove cholesterol.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three out of four Americans have a heart age that is older than their chronological age, and the majority of American adults could be doing more to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke. It suggests that there is a gender.
The majority of Americans have a heart age that is, on average, 7 years older than their chronological age.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans, accounting for about 20 percent of deaths in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available.
“Heart disease, along with stroke, is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and is more common than any type of cancer or chronic disease,” said Dr. Joseph Wu, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and director of the Stanford Heart and Vascular Institute. It is taking the lives of people.” Combined lower respiratory tract diseases based on the most recent data available.
“So this finding that most people are unaware of the serious consequences of heart disease is discouraging and even a little frightening.”
Signs of heart aging include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness during exercise.
Reversing the increase in heart age starts with modifying unhealthy lifestyle habits. If you smoke or vape, your doctor may recommend that you quit.
Exercising for at least 150 minutes each week can lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Cardiologists also lower cholesterol, by reducing intake of trans and saturated fats from foods such as red meat, consuming more fiber, and choosing vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower, and safflower instead of butter and shortening. It is especially recommended to lower LDL cholesterol. Cooking and sitting down to eat.
