News Summary
A study from Northwestern Medicine shows that many U.S. adults have a ‘heart age’ that is significantly older than their actual age, with disparities evident across demographics. Researchers evaluated data from over 14,000 adults and introduced a free online calculator that assesses heart age based on various health factors. The findings highlight the need for improved cardiovascular health communication and interventions. The study aims to motivate individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and enhance preventive care, underscoring persistent inequalities in heart health among different populations.
Chicago, IL — New Study Finds Many U.S. Adults Have a “Heart Age” Several Years Older Than Their Actual Age
A recent study led by researchers at Northwestern Medicine reveals that a significant portion of U.S. adults have a “heart age” that is notably older than their chronological age, with some differences surpassing ten years. The findings underscore ongoing disparities in cardiovascular health across different demographic groups and highlight the potential of a new tool designed to improve risk communication.
Key Findings and Methodology
The study evaluated data from over 14,000 adults aged 30 to 79 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2011 and 2020. All participants had no prior history of cardiovascular disease. Researchers introduced a free online calculator that estimates an individual’s “heart age” based on risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and the presence of diabetes. This tool aims to provide a more comprehensible way for individuals to understand their cardiovascular risk, compared to traditional percentage-based risk assessments.
Major Disparities in Heart Age
The study’s results indicate that, on average, women have a heart age of 55.4 years despite a chronological age of 51.3 years. Men, meanwhile, have an average heart age of 56.7 years versus their actual average age of 49.7 years. The difference in age, known as the age gap, tends to be more pronounced among specific groups:
- Approximately one-third of men with a high school education or less have a heart age more than 10 years older than their real age.
- Among racial groups, Black men have a heart age that is 8.5 years older than their actual age, while Black women experience a 6.2-year difference.
- Hispanic men’s heart age averages 7.9 years older, with Hispanic women showing a 4.8-year gap.
- White men and women have average heart ages 6.4 and 3.7 years older, respectively.
- Asian men and women have heart age differences of 6.7 and 2.8 years, respectively.
Implications for Heart Disease Prevention
Despite advancements leading to a decline in heart disease mortality, it remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Many adults do not receive adequate preventive care, which can delay early detection and management of risk factors. The heart age calculator aims to bridge this gap by making cardiovascular risk more relatable and understandable.
The lead author of the study emphasizes that the tool is intended to foster better conversations between healthcare providers and patients regarding heart disease risks and preventive strategies. It is noteworthy that the calculator is designed to supplement, not replace, clinical assessments and professional medical advice.
Future Directions and Public Health Impact
The researchers plan to further investigate whether presenting risk in terms of heart age enhances patient understanding and whether it leads to improved health outcomes. They hope that widespread use of such tools can motivate at-risk individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and adhere to preventive therapies.
Publication and Broader Context
The detailed findings of the study titled “PREVENT Risk Age Equations and Population Distribution in US Adults” will be published in JAMA Cardiology on July 30, 2025. The study’s broader goal is to modify how cardiovascular risk is communicated, making it more accessible and impactful for the general public.
Overall, the research underscores persistent inequalities in heart health and highlights innovative strategies to improve risk awareness among diverse populations across the country.
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Additional Resources
- The Washington Post: Heart Biological Age and Cardiovascular Disease
- STAT: Most Americans’ Hearts Older than Chronological Age
- Medical Xpress: Adults’ Hearts Older than Actual Age
- Today: Heart Age Study and Calculator
- BuzzFeed: Heart Cardiovascular Age
- Wikipedia: Heart Disease
- Google Search: Cardiovascular Disease
- Google Scholar: Heart Age Calculator
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Heart
- Google News: Heart Disease
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