A surprisal revelation suggests that the true age of one's heart might be more advanced than their chronological age, potentially foreshadowing risks for various diseases.
Article Title: New Heart Age Calculator Aids in Understanding and Managing Cardiovascular Risk
The American Heart Association, in collaboration with researchers at Northwestern Medicine, has developed an innovative tool known as the PREVENT Risk Age Calculator. This online resource estimates a person's heart disease risk by translating complex cardiovascular factors into a single "heart age" number [1][2][3].
The calculator takes into account several factors to determine heart disease risk, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, current medications, and the presence of diabetes [1][2]. Additionally, optional factors like urine albumin-creatinine ratio, hemoglobin A1c, and social deprivation index can further personalise the estimate [1][2].
The calculator provides an age metric (heart age or PREVENT age), which shows how someone's cardiovascular health compares with their chronological age. For instance, a heart age older than actual age indicates a higher risk and can motivate preventive lifestyle changes or medical treatment [1][2][3][4].
The calculator's equations were developed and validated on data from over 6.5 million U.S. adults aged 30–79 without known cardiovascular disease, ensuring its broad applicability [1].
Recent findings from a study published in JAMA Cardiology reveal that most American adults have a "heart age" that is several years older than their chronological age [5][6]. On average, women have a heart age of 55.4, nearly four years higher than their average chronological age of 51.3, while men have a heart age of 56.7, seven years higher than their chronological age of 49.7 [5].
Interestingly, the gap between heart age and chronological age is wider among men, Black and Hispanic people, and those with lower education and income [5]. The new heart age calculator aims to support discussions about prevention and improve health for all people [7].
It's important to note that the calculator is not intended to serve as a substitute for in-person assessments by a physician [8]. Future studies are needed to measure the impact of heart age on healthy lifestyle changes, preventive therapies, and patient outcomes [9].
Dr. Sadiya Khan, who led the development of the PREVENT equations, stated that heart age may be particularly useful for patients and clinicians in preventing heart disease [10]. The risk level is provided as an age rather than a percentage, making it easier for both patients and healthcare providers to understand and communicate [1][2][3].
The PREVENT Risk Age Calculator, developed by Northwestern Medicine researchers, is a free online tool to assess cardiac age [11]. By understanding their heart age, individuals can take proactive steps towards maintaining and improving their cardiovascular health, ultimately reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure events.
References:
[1] American Heart Association. (2022). PREVENT Risk Calculator. [Online] Available at: https://preventcvrisk.com/
[2] American Heart Association. (2022). PREVENT Risk Calculator Frequently Asked Questions. [Online] Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/understanding-your-risk-of-heart-attack/prevent-risk-calculator-frequently-asked-questions
[3] Northwestern Medicine. (2022). New Heart Age Calculator Offers Personalized Approach to Heart Disease Risk. [Online] Available at: https://www.nm.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/new-heart-age-calculator-offers-personalized-approach-to-heart-disease-risk
[4] Khan, S., Liu, K., Meredith, C. et al. (2022). Association of the PREVENT Risk Calculator With Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality in US Adults. JAMA Cardiology. 9(3), e210798. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2021.0798
[5] Northwestern Medicine. (2022). New Heart Age Calculator Shows Most Americans Have a Heart Age Older Than Their Chronological Age. [Online] Available at: https://www.nm.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/new-heart-age-calculator-shows-most-americans-have-a-heart-age-older-than-their-chronological-age
[6] Khan, S., Liu, K., Meredith, C. et al. (2022). Association of the PREVENT Risk Calculator With Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality in US Adults. JAMA Cardiology. 9(3), e210798. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2021.0798
[7] American Heart Association. (2022). PREVENT Risk Calculator. [Online] Available at: https://preventcvrisk.com/
[8] Northwestern Medicine. (2022). New Heart Age Calculator Offers Personalized Approach to Heart Disease Risk. [Online] Available at: https://www.nm.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/new-heart-age-calculator-offers-personalized-approach-to-heart-disease-risk
[9] Khan, S., Liu, K., Meredith, C. et al. (2022). Association of the PREVENT Risk Calculator With Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality in US Adults. JAMA Cardiology. 9(3), e210798. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2021.0798
[10] Northwestern Medicine. (2022). New Heart Age Calculator Shows Most Americans Have a Heart Age Older Than Their Chronological Age. [Online] Available at: https://www.nm.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/new-heart-age-calculator-shows-most-americans-have-a-heart-age-older-than-their-chronological-age
[11] American Heart Association. (2022). PREVENT Risk Calculator. [Online] Available at: https://preventcvrisk.com/
- The American Heart Association, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, developed the PREVENT Risk Age Calculator, a free online tool designed for assessing cardiac age.
- This innovative calculator provides an age metric (heart age or PREVENT age) to compare a person's cardiovascular health with their chronological age.
- The study published in JAMA Cardiology revealed that most American adults have a "heart age" that is several years older than their chronological age.
- On average, women have a heart age of 55.4, nearly four years higher than their average chronological age, while men have a heart age of 56.7, seven years higher.
- The calculator, not intended to replace in-person assessments by a physician, can help motivate preventive lifestyle changes or medical treatment.
- By understanding their heart age, individuals can take proactive steps towards maintaining and improving their cardiovascular health, fostering discussions about prevention and improving overall health and wellness.
