According to the World Health Organization, as many as 80 per cent of all heart attacks and strokes are preventable. And unexpectedly despite being largely preventable, cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes more than 20.5 million deaths every year.

The reason behind this is that there is no regular monitoring of heart health. Regular monitoring heart health is vital because it allows for the early detection of cardiovascular issues, which significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. By identifying heart problems at an early stage, interventions can be made when they are most effective, preventing conditions from worsening and reducing the risk of severe complications. Regular check-ups can uncover modifiable risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes—conditions that, if managed properly, can prevent the development of more serious heart diseases. This proactive approach not only helps in mitigating immediate health risks but also contributes to long-term cardiovascular well-being.

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Heart Disease Symptoms

 

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Swelling (edema) in legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Cold sweat
• Unexplained cough, possibly with pink, frothy mucus
• Pain in other areas (e.g., upper abdomen, neck, back, or jaw)

 

Related story: What to Eat For A Healthy Heart

 

Different Parameters to Check Heart Health

Laboratory Tests

Lab tests are essential for assessing heart health. These include measuring cholesterol levels—total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides—to evaluate lipid profiles. Additionally, blood glucose levels, such as fasting glucose and HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin), are tested to check for diabetes or prediabetes, which can impact cardiovascular health.
Medical Examinations
Medical examinations often include cardiac stress tests, which assess how well your heart responds to physical or pharmacologic stress. This helps evaluate the heart's performance under exertion. Electrocardiographic tests, such as an ECG or EKG, record the electrical activity of the heart, detecting irregularities in heart rhythms and electrical signals. A Holter monitor provides continuous ECG monitoring over 24 to 48 hours to capture transient issues.

 

Related story: Improve Heart Health With This Exercise

 

Cardiac Imaging Tests

Cardiac imaging tests are used to visualise the heart's structure and function. These include an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to create detailed images of the heart's chambers and valves. A chest X-ray helps assess the heart's size and the presence of fluid in the lungs, while MRI or CT scans offer more detailed images of the heart and blood vessels, identifying structural abnormalities or coronary artery disease.

 

Measuring Your Heart Age

Measuring your heart age involves comparing your actual age to an estimate of your heart's age based on risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle habits. This assessment provides insight into how your cardiovascular health compares to typical age-related benchmarks and helps identify areas for improvement in your heart health management.

Do you want to know how well your heart is performing? Is it older than you might expect? Discover your heart age with our simple calculator. By comparing your actual age to an estimate of your heart's age, based on your health and lifestyle details, you can get a clearer picture of your cardiovascular well-being. This insight helps you understand how your heart health stacks up against typical age-related benchmarks.
Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

 

Related story: Heart Attack Symptoms in Women That Are Hard to Spot

 

Calculate Your Heart Health

The goal is to provide insight into how well your heart is doing relative to what would be expected for your chronological age. It helps you to gain insight into your heart's health. Heart age calculator compares your actual age with your heart age by asking questions about your health and lifestyle. By evaluating factors like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle habits, it provides a clearer picture of how well your heart is functioning compared to typical age-related expectations. Understanding your heart age can help you identify areas for improvement and take steps to enhance your cardiovascular health. 

The calculator is intended for individuals who:

• Are between the ages of 30 and 95
• Do not have an existing condition affecting the heart or blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)

 

Steps Involved in Calculating Heart Age

1. Gathering Information:
To calculate heart age, you need to provide specific health data, including:
Age: Your actual chronological age.
Gender: As risk factors can vary between men and women.
Blood Pressure: Both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) pressure readings.
Cholesterol Levels: Total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and HDL (good cholesterol) levels.

• Smoking Status 
• Height
• Body Mass Index
• Body Weight

2. Using Formulas or Algorithms:
Health professionals and online calculators use specific algorithms or formulas to estimate heart age. These are often derived from large-scale studies on cardiovascular risk. Examples include:
Framingham Risk Score: This uses factors like age, gender, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking status, and diabetes to estimate cardiovascular risk.
ASCVD Risk Calculator: Developed by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, it estimates the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

3. Calculating Heart Age:
The algorithm processes your risk factor data and compares it with average risk profiles for various age groups. If your cardiovascular risk factors are typical for someone younger than you, your heart age will be younger. Conversely, if your risk factors are worse than average, your heart age will be older.

4. Interpreting the Results:
Heart Age Older than Chronological Age: Suggests higher cardiovascular risk. It may indicate the need for lifestyle changes or medical interventions to improve heart health.
Heart Age Younger than Chronological Age: Indicates good cardiovascular health relative to your chronological age. It suggests that you’re at lower risk for heart disease.

5. Next Steps:
Depending on your heart age, you might consider:
Lifestyle Modifications: Improving diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing stress.

 

UR.Life offers comprehensive diet counselling designed to support anti-inflammatory and overall healthy eating plans. Our counselling services emphasise reducing processed foods and managing stress, which can both contribute to chronic inflammation. With tailored meal plans and ongoing support, UR.Life aims to improve clients' health by addressing individual needs and promoting sustainable, long-term dietary changes that enhance well-being and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Medical Consultation: Discussing the results with a healthcare provider for personalised advice and potential treatments. Book your lab tests with UR.Life now.

 

Related story: Lifestyle Changes That Keep Your Heart Healthy

 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

 

Regular health checks are essential for everyone, but they are particularly important for individuals who are at risk of or already have any underlying condition. Taking regular health checks can help detect the condition at an early stage when it is easier to manage and treat. With the UR.Life HRA, we help you to invest in your well-being through seamless interventions and targeted medical treatments. Our holistic wellness approach caters to all aspects of your well-being. We ensure that you can bring your whole self to work.

With our medical professionals by your side, routine health check-ups will never be an issue. Advanced laboratory technologies back UR.Life’s Occupational Health Centers (OHC), and with highly qualified experts/technicians, we’re committed to delivering trusted and quality recommendations, modifications and advice to you.