Tuesday, September 04, 2018

The body of a woman and the heart of an 80-year-old

Seeing a post on FaceBook about an online NHS How Old is your Heart? test I thought I'd give it a go, quietly confident that I'd have the heart of a twenty-year-old.

I was not impressed when the result came in: the age of your heart is 80 years. For goodness sake, I'm only 65.

The test comprises a series of simple questions but it needs you to know your cholesterol level and blood pressure and if you don't they use the norm, which presumably for me would be for a female of 65. As the media is regularly telling us what an obese nation were are I suspect the norm would therefore be quite high. Likewise with blood pressure.

Add to that the fact that I answered 'yes' to the 'has a close family member had a something or other diagnosis (including stroke)?' and I suppose they're being on the safe side with their estimate.

I've since spoken to the doctor and arranged to have my cholesterol tested and when I go to pick up the form I'll check my blood pressure too. Then when I have the results - which I hope will be good - I'll do the test again.

Apparently according to the test 78% of adults in England have an excessively high heart age. It may not be a particularly reliable test but it's made me take action so at least one person is benefiting from it.

4 comments:

Ole Phat Stu said...

Thanks for the link, Liz.
At 74 my (male) heart is 95, it says and I can expect (P=50%)
to die at 82. Sounds reasonable, just hope it's painless ;-)

nick said...

It's a very rudimentary test which leaves out all sorts of relevant details like your dietary habits, how much exercise you take, whether you go to the gym, how much you drink, what sort of job you have, how stressful your life is etc. So the result should definitely be taken with a bucket full of salt.

Liz Hinds said...

Painless is always the best way, Stu.

Or low salt alternative, nick.

Anonymous said...

female 73.
father died at 45 (no fat on him... appeared to be in great shape!) he had a massive coronary occlusion. so am probably on borrowed time I figure.
LAD stent in 2003. went into cardiac arrest in the recovery room. obviously was revived.
retired medically in 2005 with malignant hypertension 270/160. it now averages 140/80.
have chronic kidney disease stage 4 due to hypertension. no dialysis yet thank the Lord!
have atrial Afib.
have Hashimoto's Disease.
have borderline Diabetes 2.
have congestive heart failure.
had removal of thyroid due to cancer.
at this point I live one day at a time and enjoy it immensely!
just telling you all this because I should be dead by now according to the numbers!
I have been Vegan for the last 6 months. so am looking forward in November to see if the regular tests show any improvement in the cholesterol.
staying active and keeping a sense of humour are the best medicines.
that's why I may read your book at least once a year! I love that little book. :D