Free online Heart Age Test gives early warning of heart attack and stroke risk to people in the North West

Public urged to find out their ‘heart age’ with 50 preventable deaths from heart attack or stroke happening every day across England

• 4,243 people die from a heart attack or stroke each year in the North West
• Around 1 in 4 deaths are among under 75s which could be prevented if people take action to improve their heart health
• PHE is calling on all adults in the North West to take a free online Heart Age Test to discover their heart age and whether they are at risk of a heart attack or stroke
• Almost 2 million Heart Age Tests have been completed across England. Completed tests in North West show that 78% people have a heart age higher than their actual age, putting them at risk

Public Health England is calling for adults in the North West to take a free, online Heart Age Test, which will provide an immediate estimation of their ‘heart 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.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), with stroke and heart attack being the most common examples, is the leading cause of death for men and the second leading cause of death for women.

In the North West, there are around 8,096 deaths from heart disease and 4,243 deaths from stroke each year. It is estimated that around a quarter of these deaths are in people under the age of 75 and 80% of those are preventable if people made lifestyle and behaviour changes to improve their heart health. Knowing their heart age helps people to find out whether they are at risk and consider what they can do to reduce this risk.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can both increase someone’s heart age, making them up to three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. In England, one in four adults have high blood pressure yet a further 5.6 million are living with the condition undiagnosed, placing millions of lives at risk of premature death and ill health.

The Heart Age Test asks a number of simple physical and lifestyle questions and provides an immediate estimation 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 across England. Completed tests in the North West, show that 78% people have a heart age higher than their actual age. Worryingly, 35% have a heart age over five years and 16% at least 10 years over their actual age.

As part of the campaign, Amazon and Omron – the UK’s leading blood pressure monitor manufacturer – are working with Public Health England to launch a roadshow called ‘Treasure Your Heart’ to engage more people in the idea of knowing their heart age and blood pressure. Amazon’s Treasure Truck will arrive in London and Manchester for two days to support the campaign and Omron’s nurses and technicians will be testing the blood pressure of as many people as possible.

Charlotte Simpson, Healthcare Public Health Consultant  at PHE North West, said: “Taking a Heart Age Test could help you to live a healthier, longer life and it can be done in the comfort of your own home.

“Tens of thousands of people across the country are at risk of cardiovascular disease but don’t realise it. Knowing your heart age is a simple way of finding out whether you’re at risk of a heart attack or stroke. By making important lifestyle changes you can reduce your risk before it’s too late.”

Dr Joe Mills, Consultant Cardiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, said: “It’s vital that people know about their heart health and what they can do to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

“There are 50 preventable deaths every day of people under the age of 75, which is serious. People can make changes now to tackle high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet and a lack of exercise to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Slimming World is also supporting the campaign to raise awareness of how losing weight can help to improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is offering an exclusive discount for new members who take the Heart Age Test.[1] 

Public Health England’s Heart Age campaign will run until 30 September. Adults are encouraged to search ‘heart age’ to take the free online test.

As part of the campaign, Amazon and Omron – the UK’s leading blood pressure monitor manufacturer – are visiting Manchester and London to encourge people to find out more about looking after their heart. The Amazon Treasure Truck will visit Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester M60 1AY, 10am -7pm, 4-5 September.