What is my heart age?
It’s your heart risk, shown as an age. Someone with healthy numbers would reach your risk at that age. Over your real age means extra risk. But a low 10-year score can hide it.
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What is heart age?
It’s the age at which someone with ideal numbers would have the same heart risk as you. Ideal means no smoking and healthy blood pressure and cholesterol.
Researchers who studied 371,676 people in New Zealand give this example, using 5-year risk. Say a man of 40 has the risk an ideal man would only reach at 57. His heart age is 57.
Source: Heart 2024
Public Health England says a heart age above your real age means more risk of a heart attack or stroke. Its test was done more than 1.9 million times, and 78% of results showed a heart age above real age.
Check yours with the free NHS heart age calculator. It’s for UK adults aged 30 to 95 without heart or blood vessel disease. Have your blood pressure and cholesterol to hand, or the result may be less accurate.
What does my 10-year heart risk mean?
It’s your chance of heart or circulation disease, like a heart attack or stroke, in the next 10 years. Your GP usually works it out with a tool called QRISK3.
Think of it like a 20% chance of rain: it may not rain, but it’s more likely. A 20% score means that out of 100 people like you, about 20 would get it in 10 years. It’s a chance, not a promise.
- Below 10 %Below the NICE statin point. Lifestyle still helps.
- 10 to just under 20 %NICE: statin offered if lifestyle change isn’t enough.
- 20 % or aboveStatin offered as above. Ask your GP about regular check-ups.
Sources: NICE NG238; QRISK3; NHS
Your score uses your age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol ratio, weight and some health conditions. Leave a box blank on the QRISK3 site and it fills in an average, so the result is just a guide.
Find your ratio and what it means in our cholesterol ratio guide.
Why is my heart age high when my risk is low?
Because age weighs heavily in short-term risk scores. Most younger people with several raised risks still get a low short-term score. The study warns they could be falsely reassured and do nothing.
That gap is what heart age shows. It was made to nudge younger people into long-term lifestyle changes.
| Heart age | 10-year risk score | |
|---|---|---|
| What it tells you | How far your risk is ahead of your age | Your chance of a heart attack or stroke in 10 years |
| Main use | Spotting risks early and changing habits | Deciding with your GP about a statin |
| As you get older | The gap usually shrinks | The score rises for everyone |
Sources: Heart 2024; NICE NG238; NHS
The researchers say the two aren’t interchangeable. Using heart age for medicine choices could undertreat older people and over-treat younger ones. So ask your GP about your 10-year score too.
What happens after my risk score?
What usually happens after a risk score
- 1
Get your score
At an NHS Health Check if you’re 40 to 74, or a GP review if you’re 25 to 84, without heart or circulation disease.
- 2
Lifestyle first
Food, exercise, weight, smoking and alcohol.
- 3
Check again
NICE says you should be offered a new score after changes.
- 4
Statin talk
Offered at 10% or more, if lifestyle change isn’t enough.
Sources: NICE NG238; NHS
Under 10%? NICE says don’t rule out a statin just for that, if you’d prefer one after talking it through or your risk may be underestimated. Your GP may also show you a lifetime risk score.
NICE says not to use a risk score if you have type 1 diabetes, kidney disease or an inherited high cholesterol condition. Your GP already treats you as higher risk.
Scores may read too low for some people. Tell your GP if you:
- are being treated for HIV
- already take medicines for heart risks, such as blood pressure tablets
- stopped smoking recently
- take medicines that can upset blood fats, such as medicines that calm the immune system
- have a severe mental illness
- have a condition where your immune system attacks your own body, or another long-term inflammatory condition
Your score can rise with age, even if your results stay the same. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber. See blood tests on statins.
How can I lower my heart age?
You can’t change your age, ethnicity or family history. But smoking, cholesterol and blood pressure are some of the most important parts of your score, and you can change them.
Six changes to lower your heart risk
- If you smoke, get help to stop from NHS stop smoking services.
- Build up to 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, such as brisk walking.
- Swap butter for olive or rapeseed oil, and eat oily fish like salmon or mackerel.
- Keep salt to no more than 6g a day, about 1 level teaspoon.
- Drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days.
- If you’re overweight, ask at your Health Check about support to lose weight.
Sources: NHS: how to lower your cholesterol; NHS: salt; NHS Health Check
Then recheck your heart age with the same calculator. For more, see how to lower cholesterol and normal blood pressure.
When to speak to a GP
The NHS says high blood pressure and high cholesterol do not have symptoms. Book an appointment if:
- Your 10-year score is 10% or more. NICE says to talk about lifestyle changes and a statin.
- Your score is under 10% but you’re in a group where scores may read too low.
- Your mother, father, brother or sister had a heart attack or angina under 60.
- You’re 40 to 74, have no heart conditions and haven’t been invited to a free NHS Health Check.
Call 999 for chest pain that feels tight or squeezing, or spreads to your arms, neck or jaw. Also call for severe trouble breathing, like gasping, choking or not being able to get words out. Call too for pale, blue or grey lips or skin, or if someone has passed out and isn’t responding normally.
Call 111 if you’re suddenly more short of breath than usual. Also call if you have chest pain and feel sick, or chest pain with a racing, slow or skipping heartbeat.