Most U.S. adults have hearts older than their actual age
Most U.S. adults have a "heart age" older than their chronological age, with larger gaps among men, lower-income individuals, and Black or Hispanic adults.
Why it matters
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Many adults who could benefit from preventive care aren't getting it.
- A new online tool aims to help doctors and patients discuss heart disease risk more effectively.
By the numbers
- Study involved over 14,000 U.S. adults aged 30 to 79.
- On average, women's heart age was 55.4 vs. chronological age of 51.3.
- For men, heart age was 56.7 vs. chronological age of 49.7.
- Black men had heart ages 8.5 years older than their actual age.
The big picture
- Heart age is a new way to frame heart disease risk, making it easier for patients to understand.
- The calculator uses routine health data like blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status, and diabetes.
What they're saying
- The study team emphasizes that the calculator is not a substitute for clinical care.
- The calculator is based on the American Heart Association's PREVENT equations.
Caveats
- The calculator should be used in consultation with a doctor.
- The study was based on data from 2011 to 2020, so it might not reflect current trends.
What’s next
- Researchers plan to study whether presenting risk this way improves outcomes and helps people understand their need for preventive therapies.