CHICAGO — A striking revelation has emerged from a groundbreaking study conducted by Northwestern Medicine: the heart age of the majority of U.S. adults significantly outpaces their chronological age. This divergence can exceed ten years, particularly among men and those with lower socioeconomic status, lower education levels, and individuals identifying as Black or Hispanic. This new finding underscores the critical need for enhanced communication between healthcare providers and patients when discussing cardiovascular health.
At the core of this study is an innovative online tool developed by the Northwestern scientists. This calculator estimates a person’s heart age based on various cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and the presence of diabetes. It aims to transform the way risk is presented, making it more relatable and understandable for patients. Although the calculator serves as a valuable resource, the research team emphasizes that it is meant to complement, not replace, professional medical advice.
Scheduled for publication on July 30 in the prestigious journal JAMA Cardiology, the study redefines the way heart disease risk traditionally has been understood. Clinicians often present cardiovascular risk in percentage terms, such as stating that a person has an 8% chance of experiencing a heart-related incident within the next decade. However, the new calculator takes this statistical risk and translates it into an age representation, Revolutionizing the dialogue surrounding heart health.
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Dr. Sadiya Khan, the Magerstadt professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, serves as the senior author of this research. She was instrumental in the creation of the PREVENT equations that form the basis of the heart age calculator. Dr. Khan hopes this tool will improve discussions about heart disease risk and guide treatment decisions to prevent significant health events like heart attacks, strokes, or heart failures from occurring altogether.
To assess the efficiency of the heart age calculator, Dr. Khan and her research team conducted an extensive evaluation involving over 14,000 adults ranging from ages 30 to 79. These individuals participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2020, specifically selected due to their lack of prior cardiovascular disease. The data gathered provided crucial insights into the heart age disparities prevalent among the population.
The findings revealed that, on average, women possessed a heart age of 55.4 years, significantly older than their average chronological age of 51.3 years. More alarmingly, men exhibited an even more substantial gap, with an average heart age of 56.7 years, raising important questions about the cardiovascular health of the male population. This indicates a hidden risk that may be overlooked, further illustrating the necessity for preventive measures and health interventions.
Among various demographic groups, individuals with a high school education or less demonstrated alarming statistics. Nearly one-third of this population group exhibited a heart age exceeding ten years beyond their actual age. This disparity highlights the intersection of education, socioeconomic status, and cardiovascular health, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted public health messaging to reach these communities effectively.
The racial disparities in heart age were particularly profound. The research observed that Black men had a heart age an average of 8.5 years older than their actual age, while Hispanic men followed closely behind with an age gap of 7.9 years. In comparison, Asian and white men had smaller discrepancies at 6.7 years and 6.4 years respectively. The trends were also prominent among women, with Black women’s heart age exceeding their actual age by an average of 6.2 years and Hispanic women showing a 4.8-year gap.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States, a statistic that has persisted despite significant advancements in public health measures aimed at reducing cardiovascular incidents. One factor contributing to this enduring epidemic is that many individuals who would greatly benefit from preventive care do not receive it in a timely manner. Dr. Khan emphasizes that an alarming number of people who should be prescribed medications to mitigate their heart disease risk remain untreated, marking a critical area for intervention.
This newly introduced heart age calculator is designed to enhance awareness and foster dialogue surrounding preventive care options. By portraying cardiovascular risk in a more relatable manner, Dr. Khan advocates for a proactive approach to heart health. Particularly for younger adults, who often underestimate their risk for heart disease, this tool has profound implications. Early identification of cardiovascular risk can lead to effective interventions that slow down the seeming aging process of the heart.
Future research efforts will look closely at whether the heart age presentation shifts the understanding of cardiovascular risk and leads to improved health outcomes. As healthcare professionals integrate these findings and tools into clinical practice, the hope is for a cascade of benefits, ultimately reducing the incidence of heart disease.
This study, aptly titled “PREVENT Risk Age Equations and Population Distribution in US Adults,” signals a significant step toward redefining how cardiovascular health risks are communicated and addressed nationwide. It is a call to action for both patients and healthcare providers to engage in meaningful conversations about heart disease prevention.
The findings of this groundbreaking research bring to light the urgency of addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable access to preventive care. By equipping individuals with tools that enhance their understanding of cardiovascular risks, healthcare can shift from a reactive model to one that prioritizes prevention, fostering healthier communities and improved quality of life moving forward.
In summary, addressing heart disease requires a comprehensive approach that combines innovative tools, clear communication, and equitable access to healthcare. As Dr. Khan and her team continue their research, the potential for meaningful change within the realm of cardiovascular health is unmistakable.
Subject of Research: Heart Age and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Article Title: PREVENT Risk Age Equations and Population Distribution in US Adults
News Publication Date: 30-Jul-2025
Web References: JAMA Cardiology Article
References: N/A
Image Credits: N/A
Keywords
Health and medicine, cardiology, cardiovascular disorders, epidemiology, preventive medicine, risk management, risk communication, risk reduction
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