Are you young at heart? The heart age calculator can let you know
Almost 50% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, heart attack and dementia. Unfortunately, even though their hearts are physically older than their chronological age, until disaster strikes, it's easy to overlook -- or never check for -- signs of high blood pressure and CVD.
Now, 11 heart-health and medical organizations have issued updated "Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults." It includes the recommendation that folks who have not been diagnosed with CVD use the new PREVENT risk calculator to find out how old their heart really is. (It's not for folks with diagnosed CVD or kidney disease.) You can access it at https://nwkhanlab.shinyapps.io/riskage/ -- and then collaborate with your doctor to fill out the form.
In my humble opinion, better assessments of your biological age are provided by the RealAge and ActualAge calculators (available at Sharecare.com and 4YOUngevity.com, respectively). They look at stress, diet, exercise, and habits like smoking, drinking, and being sedentary.
Luckily, research shows you can reduce artery-clogging plaque, cool inflammation that damages the cardiovascular system and brain, lower blood pressure and become younger at heart. How? With a combination of lifestyle changes and medications.
The meds include antihypertensives, statins, low-dose aspirin (with your doc's OK), and even weight-loss GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound. The lifestyle changes include eating the Mediterranean diet, exercising, managing stress and enjoying social interaction. They are detailed in my books, "The Great Age Reboot" and "What to Eat When," and in the free newsletter at 4YOUngevity.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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