Seventy per cent of under 50s have a heart age older than themselves: Heart Foundation

Seventy per cent of Australians under 50 have heart health older than their metabolic age, according to the Heart Foundation.

The figures come from research carried out by the foundation with over 2 million Australians using its Heart Age Calculator to understand their risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and what to do next.

Shockingly, It found that seven in 10 Australians aged 35-49 had a 'heart age' older than their actual age, and one in eight in this group had a heart age at least six years above their actual age.

Around 60 per cent didn't know how their blood pressure was, while over 80 per cent, or 2.9 million Aussies in that age group, didn't know their cholesterol reading.

Of those people who did know their readings, one in four had high blood pressure and two in five had a high total cholesterol level.

This paints a worrying picture for the heart health of the nation, and Heart Foundation General Manager of Heart Health, Bill Stavreski, said the startling results show why heart disease needs to be on the radar of all Australians.

“Many younger Australians who took the test have risk factors for developing heart disease down the track. What’s just as worrying, is most don’t know their blood pressure or cholesterol numbers,” Stavreski said.

“This complacency can be a killer because high blood pressure and cholesterol are the two leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. These conditions often have no obvious symptoms. 

“Taking care of your heart and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol now can help avoid irreversible damage later in life.”

Over the last two years one in five Australians aged 35 to 75 have taken the online heart age test.

Overall, close to four in five people aged 35-75 recorded a heart age higher than their actual age.

“Heart disease remains our single biggest killer, claiming 45 lives each day,” Stavreski said.

“The good news is there’s plenty you can do to reduce your risk for heart disease and lower your heart age. Your GP will support you in taking the necessary steps to improve your heart health, which may include changes to your diet, exercising, and possibly taking medications.”