Is your heart older than you?
Based on the Framingham Heart Study risk model
Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides general educational estimates. Always consult your prescribing physician or healthcare provider before making medication changes or interpreting results from population-based models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heart age expresses cardiovascular risk as an equivalent age. If your heart age is 55 but you are 45, your risk factors match a healthy 55-year-old.
This is a simplified estimate based on major Framingham risk factors. Clinical tools include additional variables. Consider results approximate guidance.
Yes. Quitting smoking can reduce heart age by up to 8 years. Lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol, and exercising each reduce it by several years.
HDL ("good") cholesterol protects against heart disease. High total cholesterol with very high HDL may be lower risk than lower total with very low HDL.
The probability of having a cardiovascular event (heart attack, stroke) in the next 10 years, based on your risk factor profile.
Methodology
Uses a simplified Framingham-based model. Each risk factor contributes years: smoking (+8), systolic BP >140 (+5) or 120-140 (+2), BP medication (+1), total cholesterol >240 (+3) or 200-240 (+1), HDL <40 (+3) or <60 (+1) or >60 (-1), diabetes (+6), BMI >30 (+3) or 25-30 (+1), regular exercise (-2). 10-year risk uses age/sex base rates with multiplicative factor adjustments.
Heart age translates cardiovascular risk into an equivalent age. Key factors: smoking adds 8 years, high blood pressure adds 2-5 years, diabetes adds 6 years, regular exercise subtracts 2 years. A 45-year-old smoker with high blood pressure and no exercise might have a heart age of 60+. Quitting smoking is the single most impactful change.
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