A new heart age calculator developed by researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., shows many Americans have hearts significantly older than their actual age, according to a study published July 30 in JAMA Cardiology.
The tool, based on risk equations developed by the American Heart Association, estimates heart age using factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, diabetes status and smoking history.
Among more than 14,000 adults without cardiovascular disease, the average heart age was 6.4 years older than actual age for men and 3.7 years older for women.
Disparities were most pronounced among Black and Hispanic men, and individuals with lower educational attainment, with some groups averaging heart ages nearly a decade older than their chronological age, according to the study.
Researchers designed the calculator to improve patient understanding and encourage earlier preventive care. It is also available online for public use.
