How old is your heart

trailingspouse

I've just done the 'How old is your heart' test. It came out with a heart age just a year ahead of my actual age, so I guess I should be happy enough.

But it seems flawed -

It asks for my cholesterol level - I have no idea what my cholesterol is, but that's mostly because I've no health issues that require a doctor to check my cholesterol (and that must be in my favour, surely).

It asks for my blood pressure - I don't know exactly what my blood pressure is, but I know it's low. Again, it's not tested often as I don't often need to go to the doctor.

So, the test uses a 'national average' for both of these measures - and I'm guessing the national average for my age, gender etc is higher than my actual levels.

It doesn't ask about my drinking habits (not a lot). It doesn't ask about my level of exercise (gym 3x a week) - according to the news this morning, a lack of exercise is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease.

And then it announces that the reason for my raised heart age is my weight!! I'm 5'8" and I weigh 9st 5lbs.

Has anyone else done it?

Sea_Shell

Yeah. Mine came out as my actual age too. But like you say...is completely useless if it doesn't take other lifestyle factors into account.

suejb2

I've got a heart two years older. Like you said, cholesterol and B.P I have no issues with, so don't know the levels.

Took the results with a 'pinch of salt' which ironically would have made my heart age higher still!

fibonarchie

how old is your heart?

it's been beating since you were a four week old foetus in your mother's womb, so do the maths

trailingspouse

I found it quite worrying that it was my weight that was given as the reason for the 'raised' heart age.
At 5'8" and 9st 5lb, the implication that I should lose weight is just wrong!!

pollypenny

Like the OP, I've no idea of my blood pressure or cholesterol levels as I'm fit and healthy, so rarely go to the doctor.

I'm 5'3" and 125lbs. Waist to height ratio of 0.46 so no problem there.

Apparently, my heart age is 3 years older than me. Daft.

BananaRepublic

I am 5'11" and 11 stone 4 pounds with a 32" waist. It told me my heart age is 65 compared to my actual age of 55. And yet my resting heart rate is 40 bpm, I am extremely fit, far more so than the vast majority of people my age, as I do ~6 hours exercise a week, and I look lean. I do not smoke. I eat very well, no red meat, almost no butter or margarine (hate the taste), no cream, a little cheese, no deep fried food, huge amounts of fresh veg. This heart age calculation must be total nonsense.

jenniewb

Possibly a hidden motive- I know it doesn't state it's made by the government, but if they wanted to try to boost the health of people it could be they're trying to tell people they are more unhealthy than they are in order that they change and improve their health and don't need as much health care as they age.


Or it could just be it's too vague and clumsy to work- but if that were the case, why put it out there to use.

BananaRepublic

jenniewb wrote: »

Possibly a hidden motive- I know it doesn't state it's made by the government, but if they wanted to try to boost the health of people it could be they're trying to tell people they are more unhealthy than they are in order that they change and improve their health and don't need as much health care as they age.


Or it could just be it's too vague and clumsy to work- but if that were the case, why put it out there to use.

It is total BS. I could not be fitter, and yet it says my heart age is ten years more than my real age. I really do not know what planet they are on.

coffeehound

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/check-your-heart-age-tool/

The daily mail says 78% of people over 35 have a heart age older than their calendar age. Sounds like the test needs recalibrating then?

[Deleted User]

BananaRepublic wrote: »

I am 5'11" and 11 stone 4 pounds with a 32" waist. It told me my heart age is 65 compared to my actual age of 55. And yet my resting heart rate is 40 bpm, I am extremely fit, far more so than the vast majority of people my age, as I do ~6 hours exercise a week, and I look lean. I do not smoke. I eat very well, no red meat, almost no butter or margarine (hate the taste), no cream, a little cheese, no deep fried food, huge amounts of fresh veg. This heart age calculation must be total nonsense.

In 2011 I was 6'6", 10st 13lb, RHR 38-42bpm. I was doing ~14hr/wk exercise, had a rib cage like a xylophone. I don't smoke, and eat low fat diet high in fibre, fruit & veg. I didn't know at that time I had atrial fibrillation.