Most over-30s 'have heart health of an older person' leaving them at risk of heart attack and stroke

Heart problems: Most adults have poor cardiovascular health
Shutterstock / namtipStudio
Chloe Chaplain29 September 2016

Almost 80 per cent of the over-30s have an older “heart age” than their actual years, putting them more at risk of a potentially fatal heart attacks or stroke.

A new study, published in the BMJ Open journal, examined the results of an online heart-health calculator and discovered that most Brits over the age of 30 have poor heart health.

The results suggested that 87 per cent of men and 40 per cent of women under 40 had the heart health expected of an older person.

It also found that many were unaware of their own cardiovascular risk.

Almost half did not know their blood pressure and three-quarters were unaware what their cholesterol levels were.

Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said knowing heart age can protect people from serious health complications.

He said: "Armed with this knowledge you can start to make changes to help protect yourself against cruel and life-changing events such as heart attack and stroke.

"The younger you start making small but significant changes, the greater the return on your investment in your health.

Heart age: The study has analysed the results of an online heart-health calculator
NHS Online

"Research has shown that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet and a lack of exercise, as well as a lack of investing in your future health and fitness all contribute to increasing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.”

The study, funded by the BHF, examined data from 575,000 users of the NHS online heart calculator tool.

It is designed to spot early signs of cardiovascular disease which causes more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK.

Jamie Waterall, national lead for cardiovascular disease prevention at Public Health England, is encouraging people over 30 to use the calculator.

"Even though you may not have symptoms, having a heart age higher than your own age indicates an increased risk of serious illness," he said.

"The Heart Age Tool gives an immediate indication of a person's potential risk and what they can start doing to reduce it.

"For people over 40, the NHS Health Check presents an invaluable opportunity to discuss your heart health with a professional."

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