Stay Safe Mate - Heart Health

In support of the Paul and Alex's BHF challenge, this month's Stay Safe theme is heart health. Find out your ‘heart age’ with this simple Heart Age Test which can give early warning and prevent up to 50 deaths from heart attack or stroke happening every day.

Heart Age vs Actual Age

If someone’s heart age is higher than their actual age, they are at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can both increase someone’s heart age, making them up to 3 times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. In England, 1 in 4 adults have high blood pressure yet a further 5.6 million are living with the un-diagnosed condition, placing millions of lives at risk.

Undiagnosed Risk Factors

The Heart Age Test asks a number of simple physical and lifestyle questions and provides an immediate estimate of someone’s heart age, as well as a prediction of the risk of having a heart attack or stroke by a certain age. It also gives suggestions on lifestyle changes to help people reduce their heart age such as losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and cutting back on alcohol. The Heart Age Test has been completed more than 1.9 million times and 4 out of 5 (78%) people have a heart age higher than their actual age. Worryingly, 34% have a heart age over five years and 14% at least 10 years over their actual age.

Quick and Easy Test

Simon Gillespie, BHF Chief Executive said:"Millions of people in the UK are unknowingly living at high risk of a heart attack or stroke due to their lifestyle, their family history of heart disease, or undiagnosed conditions including high blood pressure and cholesterol. Our message is that it’s never too late to change. Take the test, and if you are concerned by the age of your heart, make an appointment to see your GP.”

- Click to find out your Heart Health now! -