So much for feeling young at heart.
A startling Northwestern University study recently revealed that most Americans’ hearts are aging faster than they are. Men’s tickers were, on average, seven years older than their chronological age, while women’s were approximately four years older.
A higher “heart age” than your actual age means you’re at greater risk for life-threatening conditions like a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, killing around 700,000 Americans each year.
Dr. Tom C. Nguyen, chief medical executive at Baptist Health’s Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, recommends a noninvasive test that assesses your risk for future heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events.
“Healthy patients without a history of heart disease can consider having a coronary artery calcium score done after age 40,” Nguyen told The Post.
A coronary calcium scan uses specialized X-ray technology to measure plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Plaque forms when cholesterol, fat and other substances accumulate in artery walls, reducing blood flow over time.
It’s an often symptomless condition known as atherosclerosis — about half of Americans between the ages of 45 and 84 have it.
Researchers have called the calcium scan a reliable and valuable indicator of atherosclerosis.
The 10- to 15-minute exam is done at a medical imaging facility or hospital.
The cost varies from $100 to $400, according to the American Heart Association, which notes that the test may not be covered by insurance.
Patients lie on a table that slides into a CT scanner. Electrode patches are placed on their chest to monitor their heart’s activity.
Scores range from zero to over 400. Zero means that there’s no calcified plaque and the risk of heart attack is low.
A score over 300 indicates extensive plaque buildup and an elevated risk for severe heart disease.
If the score is very high, treatment options may include medications like statins to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, blood pressure-lowering drugs and possibly procedures to address severe blockages.
In less drastic cases, lifestyle changes may be enough.
“For the vast majority of people, the key to good cardiovascular health is still very much related to the things we do in our daily lives,” Nguyen said.
He recommends:
- Getting adequate exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Not smoking
- Regularly checking your cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure levels. Nguyen pinpointed 120/80 or less as the ideal blood pressure, while non-HDL cholesterol should be less than 130 milligrams per deciliter for most people.
- Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil
- Avoiding processed foods
