The NHS is urging people to take this simple health test at home amidst rising concerns about heart attacks and strokes. People are being urged to check their heart age through the health service’s free health assessment tool.
The NHS’ online calculator will help you find out your heart age and let you know if you have an increased chance of having a stroke or heart attack. The NHS website explains: “Your heart age gives you an idea of how healthy your heart is.”
The assessment tool is simple to use as it compares your real age with your heart age by asking you questions about your health. It also shares advice and suggests what lifestyle changes you can make to improve your heart health, Surrey Live reports.
On X, formerly Twitter, the NHS are urging people across the country to use the calculator. They wrote: “If your heart age is older than your actual age, you could be at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.”
How to calculate your heart age
According to the NHS, you can use the tool if:
- you are aged 30 to 95
- you do not have a condition that affects your heart or blood vessels
- you live in the UK
You will also need to know your weight, height, blood pressure and cholesterol before completing the check. However, the NHS explains: “You can still use this calculator if you do not have your blood pressure or cholesterol details but the results may be less accurate.”
The NHS says there are two ways you can check your cholesterol: using a finger-prick test or taking blood from your arm. They advise that you should ask your GP surgery for a cholesterol test if you haven’t had one before and if you’re over 40, overweight, or if high cholesterol or heart problems run in your family. If you are willing to pay, some pharmacies also offer tests.
In terms of finding out your blood pressure, you can either go to your GP or some pharmacies. Alternatively, you can buy a digital blood pressure monitor to use at home. To check your heart age click here.
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