Exploring the gap between heart age and chronological age to raise awareness about heart health
A new study by Northwestern Medicine shows many U.S. adults have a ‘heart age’ significantly older than their actual age, highlighting disparities in heart health among men and racial groups. The study includes a free online tool for individuals to assess their cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers emphasize the importance of consulting healthcare professionals despite the tool’s findings. The study identifies concerning trends in heart health, especially among economically disadvantaged and minority populations. Overall, the findings call for increased awareness and proactive management of heart health in diverse communities.
Chicago – A new study conducted by Northwestern Medicine has revealed that many U.S. adults have a “heart age” that is significantly older than their actual chronological age, sometimes by more than a decade. The research highlights the disparities in heart health, particularly among men, economically disadvantaged individuals, and certain racial groups.
The study, which is set to be published in JAMA Cardiology on July 30, 2025, presents a free online tool that allows individuals to calculate their “heart age”. This tool assesses cardiovascular disease risk based on various factors including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and diabetes history. While the calculator is intended to raise awareness of heart health, it is not designed to replace professional medical advice. Researchers encourage users to consult with healthcare professionals for comprehensive care.
In a comprehensive assessment evaluating over 14,000 U.S. adults aged 30 to 79, all of whom had no previous cardiovascular disease, the study found significant age gaps between heart age and actual age. On average, women had a heart age of 55.4, while their chronological age stood at 51.3. Meanwhile, men had an average heart age of 56.7 compared to their actual age of 49.7.
The age gap in heart health became especially pronounced among certain demographics. Approximately one-third of men with a high school education or less exhibited heart ages that were more than 10 years older than their chronological ages. The research indicated that Black and Hispanic adults experience notably larger discrepancies. Black men, for instance, had an average heart age that was 8.5 years older than their chronological age, while Black women had a gap of 6.2 years. Hispanic men showed a heart age that was 7.9 years older than their actual age; Hispanic women had a discrepancy of 4.8 years.
Further analysis noted that white men had a heart age 6.4 years older than their chronological age and white women had a 3.7-year disparity. Asian men and women had heart ages that averaged 6.7 years and 2.8 years older than their actual ages, respectively.
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, despite advancements in public health initiatives. Many adults are still not receiving the preventive care necessary to mitigate heart disease risk. The creators of the heart age calculator hope that this tool will prompt individuals, particularly younger ones, to recognize and address their vulnerability to heart disease.
Dr. Sadiya Khan, the lead author of the study, emphasized that reframing heart disease risk as an age may help patients better understand their health conditions and open up important discussions between them and their healthcare providers regarding heart health and preventive measures.
Future studies will focus on whether communicating cardiovascular risk in terms of heart age leads to better medical outcomes and enhances the understanding of preventive therapies among patients. The study titled “PREVENT Risk Age Equations and Population Distribution in US Adults” aims to change the current narrative surrounding cardiovascular risk communication.
As heart health remains a pressing public health issue, the findings from this research serve as a reminder of the need for continued awareness and proactive management of cardiovascular health across diverse populations.
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